Fluidization PDF
Fluidization PDF
BS Chemical Engineering
Cebu Institute of Technology – University, N. Bacalso Ave. Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
This trial is about fluidization of bed of solid by passing a liquid, ordinarily a gas upwards
through a bed of particles upheld on a distributor. Fluidization of fluidizing changes over a bed of
solid particles into an extended mass that has numerous properties of a fluid. As a liquid is gone
upward through a bed of particles, pressure loss because of frictional resistance increases as liquid
stream increases. At a point, whereby the upward drag force applied by the liquid on the particle
equivalent to clear weight of particles in the bed, fluidization happens. The upward velocity
depends on the course through the vacant vessel as is alluded to as the superficial velocity. As the
velocity of the stream builds, the particles adjust themselves to offer less resistance from the liquid
and the bed will tend to grow themselves to offer less resistance from the liquid stream. It can be
seen from the outcomes that with the most astounding velocity in the experiment of 0.15935 m/s,
the bed height additionally increases to 1.280m.
1. Introduction
Fluidized bed reactors are moderately new device in the chemical engineering field. Fritz
Winkler built up the principal fluidized bed gas generator in Germany in the 1920's where a
fundamental chart of fluidized bed reactor is shown below in Figure 1.1. One of the first United
States fluidized bed reactors utilized was the Catalytic Cracking Unit, made in Baton Rouge, LA
in 1942 by the Standard Oil Company. A fluidized bed is a packed bed through which liquid
streams at such a high velocity, to the point that the particles in the bed are relaxed such that the
bed carries on as if it is a fluid.
Fluidized beds give a vast surface zone to contact amongst solids and a fluid or a gas that
is helpful for heat and mass transfer. In this condition, almost uniform temperatures can be kept
up in the reactor even with exceptionally exothermic reactions. This is essential in light of the fact
that a temperature slope can shape in an inadequately or poor mixed bed, prompting equipment
failure, product degradation, and diminished effectiveness of the reaction. A fluidized bed likewise
gives uniform blending, which is vital for product quality and proficiency. Fluidized bed reactors
are frequently a continuous process, which means they are additionally extremely proficient
contrasted with batch process.
Be that as it may, there are a few detriments to fluidized beds. One disadvantage is that the
cost of a fluidized bed reactor is generally high because the vessels are commonly bigger than the
batch or different procedures. Another hindrance is that occasionally particles may move toward
becoming entrained, or blown alongside the stream, which can be expensive and problematic to
repair. There is likewise an additional power input that is required for the pump to direct the
pressure drop. At long last, the liquid like conduct of these fine particles may in the end cause
erosion issues.
Fluidized bed can be fortified by either gas or fluid streams. In either case, the procedure
of fluidization is an opposition between the force of gravity pointing downwards and the upward
pointing drag force caused by friction between the streaming liquid and the individual particles
that make up the fluidized bed. As the stream rate of the working liquid is expanded, it streams
faster over the individual particles, expanding the magnitude of drag force. Inevitably, at a specific
velocity (called the minumum fluidization velocity, Vf), the drag and gravitational forces will be
in balance, and the bed will start to fluidize and the air pocket. As the speed is additionally
expanded, the drag force turns out to be increasingly predominant over gravity, and the bed bubbles
more furiously. This individual particles are not diverted with the stream, on the grounds that their
settling velocities are far bigger than the minimum fluidization velocity.
2. Materials and Methods
Fluidization apparatus
Tap water
Tape measure and/or ruler
Graduated Cylinder
Timer
2.2 Methods
……………………………………………………………………………………….
The weight of the bed and the average diameter of the particle was noted. The water
container was filled sufficient enough to operate the apparatus. The height of the mercury in the
manometer was leveled by removing the clip and slowly adjusting the pressure in the manometer
before the fluidization apparatus was operated. The globe valve is closed before the pump was
turned on to avoid mercury spillage. The pump is then turned on. The initial height of the particle
was recorded. The pressure drop across the bed was measured starting with the lowest possible
flow-rate of water. The volumetric flow rate was recorded by simultaneously collecting liquid
sample in the exit tube using a graduated cylinder and time of collection was recorded. The volume
of the liquid sample collected was measured. The corresponding pressure drop across the bed was
recorded as the flow-rate of water was increased. When the bed expanded, the new height of the
bed was measured. Different increment of the flow-rate of water was done until maximum
allowable flow-rate had achieved and the following procedures after the increment of the flow-
rate of water was repeated. This is determined when the particles are nearing the top of the column
of the fluidization apparatus
3. Results
3.1 Tables
Table 3.1 and 3.2 shows the raw data that was determined in the experiment utilizing the
fluidization apparatus. It is also shown in table 3.2 the results obtained in the calculations.
Before calculating the necessary information, the physical properties of water was first
determined and then the area of both particle and bed. The total volume of the particle was solved.
rp = 3.0x10-3 m
4 4
VT,p = 3 πr3(680) = 3 π (3.0x10-3m)3 (680) = 7.69062x10-5 m3
All the necessary information was solved in each trial. A total of 8 trials was conducted.
The following are the computed information:
ε = Porosity
∆P = Pressure difference
ƒ = Friction factor
TRIAL 1:
V 1.76075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 5.869x10−5 m3 /s
t 3 sec
𝓋 5.869x10−5 m3 /s m
v = A = 1.19459x10−3 m2 = 0.04913
b 𝑠
m
v’ = εv = (0.9992) (0.04913 m/s) = 0.04909 𝑠
150 (0.8937x10−3 )(0.04909) (0) (1−0.9992)2 1.75 (997.08) (0.04909)2 (0) (1−0.9992)
∆Pbed = +
(6x10−3 )2 (0.9992)3 (6x10−3 )(0.9992)
∆Pbed = 0.5611
−3
Dp v′ ρ (6x10 ) (0.04909)(997.08)
NRe,p = = (1−0.9992)(0.8937x10−3 )
= 410 764.16
(1−ε)μ
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.04909)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 273 842.77
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.9992)(0.8937x10−3 )
V 2.01075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 6.7025x10−5 m3 /s
t 3 sec
𝓋 6.7025x10−5 m3 /s
v= = −3 = 0.05611 m𝑠
Ab 1.19459x10 m2
m
v’ = εv = (0.9992) (0.05611 m/s) = 0.05606 𝑠
150 (0.8937x10−3 )(0.05606) (0) (1−0.9992)2 1.75 (997.08) (0.05606)2 (0) (1−0.9992)
∆Pbed = +
(6x10−3 )2 (0.9992)3 (6x10−3 )(0.9992)
∆Pbed = 0.7319
−3
Dp v′ ρ (6x10 ) (0.05606)(997.08)
NRe,p = = (1−0.9992)(0.8937x10−3 )
= 469 086.14
(1−ε)μ
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.05606)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 312 724.10
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.9992)(0.8937x10−3 )
TRIAL 3:
V 2.69075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 8.969x10−5 m3 /s
t 3 sec
Vbed − VT,p 0.09344 − 7.69062x10−5
ε= = = 0.9992
Vbed 0.09344
𝓋 8.969x10−5 m3 /s
v= = −3 = 0.07508 m𝑠
Ab 1.19459x10 m2
m
v’ = εv = (0.9992) (0.07508 m/s) = 0.07502 𝑠
150 (0.8937x10−3 )(0.07502) (0.01) (1−0.9992)2 1.75 (997.08) (0.07502)2 (0.01) (1−0.9992)
∆Pbed = +
(6x10−3 )2 (0.9992)3 (6x10−3 )(0.9992)
∆Pbed = 0.0131
−3
Dp v′ ρ (6x10 ) (0.07502)(997.08)
NRe,p = = (1−0.9992)(0.8937x10−3 )
= 627 735.33
(1−ε)μ
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.07502)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 418 490.22
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.9992)(0.8937x10−3 )
TRIAL 4:
V 3.01075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 1.0036x10−4 m3 /s
t 3 sec
m
v’ = εv = (0.999187) (0.08401 m/s) = 0.08394 𝑠
∆Pbed = 0.0417
−3
Dp v′ ρ (6x10 ) (0.08394)(997.08)
NRe,p = = (1−0.999187)(0.8937x10−3 )
= 691 143.0
(1−ε)μ
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.08394)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 460 762.0
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.999187)(0.8937x10−3 )
TRIAL 5:
V 3.41075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 1.1369x10−4 m3 /s
t 3 sec
𝓋 1.1369x10−4 m3 /s
v= = −3 = 0.09517 m𝑠
Ab 1.19459x10 m2
m
v’ = εv = (0.999195) (0.09517 m/s) = 0.09510 𝑠
∆Pbed = 0.08053
−3
Dp v′ ρ (6x10 ) (0.09510)(997.08)
NRe,p = = (1−0.999195)(0.8937x10−3 )
= 790 813.61
(1−ε)μ
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.09510)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 527 209.07
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.999195)(0.8937x10−3 )
TRIAL 6:
V 3.89075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 1.2969x10−4 m3 /s
t 3 sec
𝓋 1.2969x10−4 m3 /s
v= = −3 = 0.10856 m𝑠
Ab 1.19459x10 m2
m
v’ = εv = (0.999203) (0.10856 m/s) = 0.10848 𝑠
∆Pbed = 0.13377
−3
Dp v′ ρ (6x10 ) (0.10848)(997.08)
NRe,p = = (1−0.999203)(0.8937x10−3 )
= 911 131.06
(1−ε)μ
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.10848)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 607 420.71
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.999203)(0.8937x10−3 )
TRIAL 7:
V 4.01075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 1.3369x10−4 m3 /s
t 3 sec
𝓋 1.3369x10−4 m3 /s
v= = −3 = 0.11191 m𝑠
Ab 1.19459x10 m2
m
v’ = εv = (0.999212) (0.11191 m/s) = 0.11182 𝑠
∆Pbed = 0.18355
−3
Dp v′ ρ (6x10 ) (0.11182)(997.08)
NRe,p = = (1−0.999212)(0.8937x10−3 )
= 949 910.67
(1−ε)μ
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.11182)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 633 273.78
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.999212)(0.8937x10−3 )
TRIAL 8:
V 5.71075x10−4 m3
𝓋= = = 1.90358x10−4 m3 /s
t 3 sec
𝓋 1.90358x10−4 m3 /s
v= = −3 = 0.15935 m𝑠
Ab 1.19459x10 m2
m
v’ = εv = (0.999219) (0.15935 m/s) = 0.15923 𝑠
Dp v ′ ρ (6x10−3 ) (0.15923)(997.08)
NRe,p = = = 1 364 782.23
(1 − ε)μ (1 − 0.999219)(0.8937x10−3 )
−3
4Dp v′ ρ 4(6x10 ) (0.15923)(997.08)
NRe,b = = = 909 854.82
6(1−ε)μ 6(1−0.999219)(0.8937x10−3 )
4. Discussion
The factors that affect fluidization are the pressure difference over filters, median particle
size, and flow regime of fluid and flow rate of outlet air.
Fluidization does not happen in the laminar regime since there would be no current that
adds to the fluidization of the bed. While in the turbulent regime, solid tends to blend quickly in
this manner fluidization happens and the bed segment resembles a fluid in its properties. It can be
found in Figure 4.1 that if the particles are very little, stream in the channels between the particles
will be laminar and the pressure drop over the bed will be relative to the superficial velocity. As
the velocity is bit by bit expanded, the pressure drop increases however the particles don't move
and the bed height continues as before. At a specific velocity, the pressure drop over the bed
balances the force of gravity on the particles or the heaviness of the bed, and any further increment
in velocity makes the particle move.
Figure 4.1 Pressure drop and bed height vs. superficial velocity for a bed of solids
There a lot of possible error that could happen during this experiment. Human error is
possible while taking reading since the reading in the manometer is not clear and some
measurement is not visible. The reading of the height of the bed should be done accurately. A
member of the group with a keen eye should be the one reading the measurement in the manometer.
The measurement of the volumetric flow rate should not be done manually since there would be
inconsistency in the results. Based from the data obtained, there is a deviation of the actual
volumetric flow rate to the theoretical flow rate.
5. Conclusions
0.583
0.5825
0.582
0.5815
0 200000 400000 600000 800000 1000000
Reynolds Number (Bed)
0.5835
Friction Factor
0.583
0.5825
0.582
0.5815
0 500000 1000000 1500000
Reynolds Number (Particle)
Figure 5.3 Friction factor vs Reynolds number for various nanoparticles’ diameter
Comparing Figure 5.1, 5.2 to 5.3, they differ a lot. In Figure 5.3, it shows the theoretical
graph of the friction factor versus the Reynolds number. As the friction factor decreases, the
Reynolds number increases. They are both inversely proportional to each other. Since there is less
resistance, then the flow of regime increases. However, in the actual experiment, it did not coincide
with the theoretical graph. All actual values deviate to the theoretical value. The values obtained
are not accurate due to errors. Such as there should be no bubbles present in the hose of the
manometer, the reading of the bed height and manually getting the actual volumetric flow rate.
There would be inconsistencies in the results due to these errors.
As the bed height is further increased, the superficial velocity increases. It can be seen in
the data the trend of both bed height and superficial velocity. It can be concluded that the bed
height and the superficial velocity is directly proportional to each other.
6. Recommendations
There a lot of possible error that could happen during this experiment. Human error is
possible while taking reading of the pressure since there are instances where the pressure fluctuates
from time to time. The reading of the height of the bed should be done accurately. A member of
the group with a keen eye should be the one reading the measurement.
A better equipment should be available in the experiment since the equipment is prone to
error. The measurement of the volumetric flow rate should not be done manually since there would
be inconsistency in the results.
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