Lab#12:

To observe differences of movement of solids between the solid-gas

fluidization

Equipment Used and Description:

This bench top apparatus is designed for a study of fluid bubbling phenomena in
fixed and fluidized beds of solid particles. The following demonstrations can be
observed
· visualization of fluidization
· pressure drop through packed and fluidized beds for both water and air
systems
· observation of difference between particulate and aggregative fluidization

Technical Data
The apparatus consists of a water and air system. Each has a fluidized column, a
manometer, a rotameter and a pump. Air or water is supplied to the columns via
bottom porous plate. Control valves vary the rates of flow for both water and air. Two
sizes of bed materials are supplied.

Acrylic tube, with scale

Fluidized column 50 mm diameter
1000 mm long

Bed plate Porous material

Water manometer 3 tubes with a hand air pump
Air manometer 3 tubes
Water rotameter 0.2-2 1pm
Air rotameter 2-25 1pm
Water pump 0.37 kW
Air pump Rotary, 0.18 kW, 0-30 1pm free air
Bed material Alumina oxides or washed sand, two sizes

Line Tracing:

Air is drawn from the atmosphere to an air compressor (1). Air passes through air regulator and
control valve to a direct a rotameter (3). From the rotameter (3), the air enters the base of the
test column (4) which passes through a distributor. The Perspex test column (4) is mounted on
top of a base plate and can be removed by unscrewing the four bolts and fill with sand to around
10 cm. After that it is put into the base plate. This enables the column to be emptied of its
particles and for cleaning/changing solid. The test column is provided with three pressure
tappings allowing the pressure drop in the column to be monitored. This pressure drop is
measured on a water differential manometer (M4,Ms,M0). The height of the bed can be measured
directly on a scale.
Theory:

The phenomena of fluidization

Fluidization is the operation by which solid particles are transformed into a fluid-like
state through suspension in a gas or liquid.

Fig. 2-1(a) : fixed and expanded bed

If the fluid is passed upward through a bed of fine particles at a low flow rate, the
fluid merely percolates through the void spaces between stationary particles. This is a
fixed bed. With an increase in flow rate, particles move apart and few vibrate and move in
restricted regions. This is the expanded bed.

Fig. 2- 1(b): incipiently fluidized bed/ bed at minimum fluidization

At a still higher velocity, a point is reached where all the particles are just suspended
by the upward-flowing gas or liquid. At this point the frictional force between particle and
fluid just counterbalances the weight of the particles, the vertical component of the
compressive force between adjacent particles disappears, and the pressure drop
through any section of the bed equals the weight of fluid and particles in that section. The
bed is considered to be just fluidized and is referred to as an incipiently fluidized bed or a
bed at minimum fluidization.

Fig. 2-1(c) : particulately fluidized bed

In liquid-solid systems, an increase in flow rate above minimum fluidization usually

results in a smooth, progressive expansion of the bed. Gross flow instabilities are
damped and remain small, and heterogeneity/ large-scale voids of liquid are not observed
under normal conditions. A bed such as this is called a particulately fluidized bed, a
homogeneously fluidized bed, or a smoothly fluidized bed. In gas-solid systems, such beds
can be observed only under special conditions of fine light particles with dense gas at
high pressure.
Fig. 2-1(d): aggregative fluidized bed

Generally, gas-solid systems behave quite differently. With an increase in flow rate
beyond minimum fluidization, large instabilities with bubbling and channeling of gas are
observed. At higher flow rate, agitation becomes more violent and the movement of solids
becomes more vigorous. In addition, the bed does not expand much beyond its volume at
minimum fluidization. Such a bed is called an aggregative fluidized bed, a
heterogeneous fluidized bed, or a bubbling fluidized bed. In a few rare cases, liquid-solid
systems also behave as bubbling beds. This occurs only with very dense solids fluidized by
low-density liquids.

Both gas and liquid fluidized beds are considered to be dense-phase fluidized beds as long
as there is a fairly defined upper limit or surface to the bed.

Fig. 2-1(e) and (f): Slugging (axial and flat)

In gas-solid systems, gas bubbles coalesce and grow as they rise, and in a deep enough bed
of small diameter they may eventually become large enough to spread across the vessel. In
the case of fine particles, they flow smoothly down by the wall around the rising void of gas.
This is is called slugging, with axial slugs. For coarse particles, the portion of the bed above
the bubble is pushed upward, as by a piston. Particles rain down from the slug, which finally
disintegrates. At about this time another slug forms, and this unstable oscillatory motion is
repeated. This is called flat slug. Slugging is specially serious in long, narrow fluidized beds.

Fig. 2-1(g) : turbulent fluidization

When fine particles are fluidized at a sufficiently high gas flow rate, the terminal velocity of the
solids is exceeded, the upper surface of the bed disappears, entrainment becomes appreciable
and instead of bubbles, one observes a turbulent motion of solid clusters and voids of gas of
various size and shapes. This is the turbulent fluidized bed.

Fig. 2-1(h) : lean phase fluidization

With a further increases in gas velocity, solids are carried out of the bed with the gas. In this state,
they have a disperse, dilute or lean-phase fluidized bed with pneumatic transport of solids
Distributor types:

Most small-scale studies in fluidization use ceramic or sintered metal porous plate distributors,
because they have a sufficiently high flow resistance to give a uniform distribution of gas across
the bed. This situation is ideal. Many other materials can do this-for instance: filter cloth,
compresses fibers, compacted wire plates or even a thin bed of small particles. Of course,
some of these materials should be reinforced by sandwiching between metal or wire plates with
large openings.

Although gas-solid contacting is superior with such distributors, for industrial operation they have
several drawbacks

· Possible gradual clogging by Fine particles or by products of corrosion.

· high cost for come materials
· low resistivity against thermal stresses
· high pressure drop leads to increase in pumping power requirements.
· low construction strength

Despite these disadvantages, compacted wire plates or sandwiched beds of small particles are
something used.
Procedure:

General Start-up Procedure :

· Check that electricity is being supplied to the equipment.

· Turn on the air compressor

Main Procedure:

· Open the air outlet valve of the air compressor

· Open the flow control valve at the Rotameter and adjust a flow rate of 10 L/min.
· Read the sand height.
· Read water manometers readings
· Repeat the above steps by increasing the rotameter readings by 2.5 L/min till 80 L/min is
achieved.

General Shut-down Procedure :

· Close the valve of the air compressor and switch the air compressor off

Observations and Calculations:

Risk Assessment Chart:

SOP’s of the Equipment · Check the operation of any protective

devices, such as an ELCB so that it operates
in accordance with its specifications thus
ensuring the safety of all operational
personnel working on the equipment. Any
malfunction of the device must be corrected by
a qualified electrician before returning the
equipment back to a service condition.
· If water is used with the equipment then there are
certain preventative mandatory regulations that
have to be taken to prevent infection from harmful

Hazard / Risk associated
with it
micro organisms.
· Loose fitting clothes should never be worn in a
laboratory. These clothes can cause a serious
accident if caught in rotating equipment, i.e. tie
etc.
· Protective gloves must be used if handling toxic
materials or where there is a high temperature
present.
The risks are associated with the centrifugal pump which are:
· Overload of the motor causing overheating and seizing
· Heavy vibrations
· Large leakage from mechanical seal
· Cavitation in the pump

The risks associated with the electricity are:

· Contact with live parts causing shock and burns.
· Fault in connections can lead to fire or explosions.

· Breakage of the the acrylic tubes.

· Overflowing of water or other components from the tube
from the tube.

Preventions of Risks and If abnormalities have been observed in the functioning of the
What do to in case pump, immediately turn it off and call your instructor to get it
checked.

Electrical fires can be prevented by inspecting electrical circuits

regularly and repairing potential issues.In case an electrical fire
starts:
· Cut off the electricity.
· Do not use water to put it out as water is a conductor of
electricity.
· Use a Class C fire extinguisher.

Electrical burns can be prevented by repairing frayed and worn

electrical core and not using appliances with water nearby. In
case of an electrical shock and burn
· Cut off the electricity.
· Minor burns can be treated with topical antibiotic
ointment and dressing
· For any high-voltage shock, or for any shock resulting in
burns, call 911 and seek medical care at a hospital's
emergency department.

Results and Conclusions:

Hence the different regions that are fixed bed, expanded bed, incipiently fluidized bed,
aggregative fluidized bed, slugging (axial / flat) and turbulent flow could be observed by
increasing the flow rates. The pneumatic transport that is lean phase fluidization couln’t
be seen as it would lead to the overflowing of the components.

: :
 Lab#13:

To observe differences of movement of solids between the solid-

liquid fluidization

Equipment Used and Description:

This bench top apparatus is designed for a study of fluid bubbling phenomena in
fixed and fluidized beds of solid particles. The following demonstrations can be
observed
· visualization of fluidization
· pressure drop through packed and fluidized beds for both water and air
systems
· observation of difference between particulate and aggregative fluidization

Technical Data
The apparatus consists of a water and air system. Each has a fluidized column, a
manometer, a rotameter and a pump. Air or water is supplied to the columns via
bottom porous plate. Control valves vary the rates of flow for both water and air. Two
sizes of bed materials are supplied.

Acrylic tube, with scale

Fluidized column 50 mm diameter
1000 mm long

Bed plate Porous material

Water manometer 3 tubes with a hand air pump
Air manometer 3 tubes
Water rotameter 0.2-2 1pm
Air rotameter 2-25 1pm
Water pump 0.37 kW
Air pump Rotary, 0.18 kW, 0-30 1pm free air
Bed material Alumina oxides or washed sand, two sizes

Line Tracing:

Water is drawn from a plastic storage tank (6). the rear of the equipment has a
centrifugal pump (7). The pump discharges water to a direct a rotameter (8). From the
rotameter (8), the water enters the base of the test column (9) which passes through a
distributor. The Perspex test column (9) is mounted on top of a base plate and can be
removed by unscrewing the four bolts and fill sand around 10 cm. After that it is is put on
the base plate. This enables the column to be emptied of its particles and for
cleaning/changing solid, the test column is provided with three pressure tappings
allowing the pressure drop in the column to he monitored. This pressure drop is
measured on a water differential manometer (M,,M,,Mo. A hand air pump (II) withdraws
air on the top of test column into the storage tank. The height of the bed can be
 measured directly on a scale. Water discharges from the top of the column and returns
via a flexible overflow pipe to the storage tank.

Theory:

The phenomena of fluidization

Fluidization is the operation by which solid particles are transformed into a fluid-like
state through suspension in a gas or liquid.

Fig. 2-1(a) : fixed and expanded bed

If the fluid is passed upward through a bed of fine particles at a low flow rate, the fluid
merely percolates through the void spaces between stationary particles. This is a fixed
bed. With an increase in flow rate, particles move apart and few vibrate and move in
restricted regions. This is the expanded bed.

Fig. 2- 1(b): incipiently fluidized bed/ bed at minimum fluidization

At a still higher velocity, a point is reached where all the particles are just suspended
by the upward-flowing gas or liquid. At this point the frictional force between particle and
fluid just counterbalances the weight of the particles, the vertical component of the
compressive force between adjacent particles disappears, and the pressure drop
through any section of the bed about equals the weight of fluid and particles in that
section. The bed is considered to be just fluidized and is referred to as an incipiently
fluidized bed or a bed at minimum fluidization.

Fig. 2-1(c) : particulately fluidized bed

In liquid-solid systems, an increase in flow rate above minimum fluidization usually

results in a smooth, progressive expansion of the bed. Gross flow instabilities are
damped and remain small, and heterogeneity, or large-scale voids of liquid, are not
observed under normal conditions. A bed such as this is called a particulately fluidized bed,
a homogeneously fluidized bed, or a smoothly fluidized bed. In gas-solid systems, such
beds can be observed only under special conditions of fine light particles with dense gas
at high pressure.

Fig. 2-1(d): aggregative fluidized bed

Generally, gas-solid systems behave quite differently. With an increase in flow rate
beyond minimum fluidization, large instabilities with bubbling and channeling of gas are
observed. At higher flow rate, agitation becomes more violent and the movement of solids
becomes more vigorous. In addition, the bed does not expand much beyond its volume at
minimum fluidization. Such a bed is called an aggregative fluidized bed, a
heterogeneous fluidized bed, or a bubbling fluidized bed. In a few rare cases, liquid-solid
systems also behave as bubbling beds. This occurs only with very dense solids fluidized by
low-density liquids. Both gas and liquid fluidized beds are considered to be dense-phase
fluidized beds as long as there is a fairly defined upper limit or surface to the bed.

Fig. 2-1(e) and (f): Slugging (axial and flat)

In gas-solid systems, gas bubbles coalesce and grow as they rise, and in a deep enpugh bed
of small diameter they may eventually become large enough to spread across the vessel. In
the case of fine particles, they flow smoothly down by the wall around the rising void of gas.
His is called slugging, with axial slugs. For coarse particles, the portion of the bed above the
bubble is pushed upward, as by a piston. Particles rain down from the slug, which finally
disintegrates. At about this time another slug forms, and this unstable oscillatory motion is
repeated. This is called flat slug. Slugging is specially serious in long, narrow fluidized beds.

Fig. 2-1(g) : turbulent fluidization

When fine particles are fluidized at a sufficiently high gas flow rate, the terminal velocity of the
solids is exceeded, the upper surface of the bed disappears, entrainment becomes appreciable
and instead of bubbles, one observes a turbulent motion of solid clusters and voids of gas of
various size and shapes. This is the turbulent fluidized bed.

Fig. 2-1(h) : lean phase fluidization

With a further increases in gas velocity, solids are carried out of the bed with the gas. In this state,
they have a disperse, dilute or lean-phase fluidized bed with pneumatic transport of solids
Distributor types:

Most small-scale studies in fluidization use ceramic or sintered metal porous plate distributors,
because they have a sufficiently high flow resistance to give a uniform distribution of gas across
the bed. This situation is ideal.

Many other materials can do this-for instance: filter cloth, compresses fibers, compacted wire
plates or even a thin bed of small particles. Of course, some of these materials should be
reinforced by sandwiching between metal or wire plates with large openings.

Although gas-solid contacting is superior with such distributors, for industrial operation they have
several drawbacks

· Possible gradual clogging by Fine particles or by products of corrosion.

· high cost for some materials
· low resistivity against thermal stresses
· high pressure drop leads to increase in pumping power requirements.
· low construction strength

Despite these disadvantages, compacted wire plates or sandwiched beds of small particles are
something used.
Procedure:

General Start-up Procedure :

· Check that electricity has been supplied to the equipment.

· Turn on water pump by switching on the plate

Main Procedure:

· Open the flow control valve at the rotameter to acheive a flow rate. Check that water
level in test column rises and return to storage tank via overflow pipe.
· Read a sand height.
· You can also record the water manometers.
· adjust the water flow rate in increments of 0.05 or 0.1 L/min until 1.2 L/min is acheived and
repeat the above steps

General Shut-down Procedure :

· Switch off the water pump.

· Drain water out of the column by valve

Observations and Calculations:

Risk Assessment Chart:

SOP’s of the Equipment · Check the operation of any protective

devices, such as an ELCB so that it operates
in accordance with its specifications thus
ensuring the safety of all operational
personnel working on the equipment. Any
malfunction of the device must be corrected by
a qualified electrician before returning the
equipment back to a service condition.
· If water is used with the equipment then there are
certain preventative mandatory regulations that
have to be taken to prevent infection from harmful

Hazard / Risk associated The risks are associated with the centrifugal pump which are:
with it
micro organisms.
· Loose fitting clothes should never be worn in a
laboratory. These clothes can cause a serious
accident if caught in rotating equipment, i.e. tie
etc.
· Overload of the motor causing overheating and seizing
· Heavy vibrations
· Large leakage from mechanical seal
· Cavitation in the pump

The risks associated with the electricity are:

· Contact with live parts causing shock and burns.
· Fault in connections can lead to fire or explosions.

· Breakage of the the acrylic tubes.

· Overflowing of water or other components from the tube
from the tube.

Preventions of Risks and If abnormalities have been observed in the functioning of the
What do to in case pump, immediately turn it off and call your instructor to get it
checked.

Electrical fires can be prevented by inspecting electrical circuits

regularly and repairing potential issues.In case an electrical fire
starts:
· Cut off the electricity.
· Do not use water to put it out as water is a conductor of
electricity.
· Use a Class C fire extinguisher.

Results and Conclusions:

: :