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Lab Manual (Exp 3)

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11 views5 pages

Lab Manual (Exp 3)

Uploaded by

azhanfayazalvee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Experiment No: 3

Experiment Name: Flow through fixed and fluidized beds using air and water as the
fluidizing medium
Objective:

To investigate the characteristics associated with water flowing vertically upwards through a bed
of granular material as follows:

a. To determine the head loss (pressure drop)

b. To verify the Carman-Kozeny equation

c. To observe the onset of fluidization and differentiate between the characteristics of a fixed bed
and a fluidized bed

d. To compare the predicted onset of fluidization with the measured head loss

Theory:

Fluidization is a process similar to liquefaction whereby a granular material is converted from a


static solid-like state to a dynamic fluid-like state. Fluidized bed is used in chemical processing
industries for separations, heat transfer and catalytic operations. When a fluid is passed upwards
through a bed of particles the pressure loss in the fluid due to frictional resistance increases with
increasing fluid flow. A point is reached when the upward drag force exerted by the fluid on the
particles is equal to the apparent weight of particles in the bed. At this point the particles are lifted
by the fluid, the separation of the particles increases and the bed becomes fluidized. The force
balance across the fluidized bed dictates that the fluid pressure loss across the bed of particles is
equal to the apparent weight of the particles per unit area of the bed

To determine the pressure, drop through a fixed bed we can show that the Carman- Kozeny
equation can be expressed in the form:
Where,
Dp = Size of particles in (m) = 0.250 mm
L = Original height of bed on random packing (m) = 0.3 m
µa = Viscosity of air (10-5 Nsm-2)
Va = Kinematic viscosity of air (106m2s-1)
𝜌a = Density of air (kgm-3)
𝜌w = Density of air (kgm-3)
𝜌 = Particle density (kgm-3) = 2500 kgm-3
∈ = Bed voidage
Mass of Particles
=1- = 0.4
Particle Density xTotal Bed Volume

Re = Average Reynolds' number based on superficial velocity


If the flow rate Q is measured in liters /second, and Vsm is the average superficial velocity in
ms-1, then
Q × 10-3
Vsm = A

where
A = Bed cross-sectional area (Bed diameter = 0.05m)
As the pressure drop (h) across the bed is measured in mm H2O, then
∆p
= h x 10-3
ρw g

Then our original equation becomes:

The pressure drop at fluidization can be predicted by using the equation:


Experimental Setup:

Figure 3: Fluidized Bed Apparatus

Equipment Specifications
Overall Dimensions
Height - 0.90m, Width - 0.75m, Depth - 0.60m

Methodology:
Air as Fluidized Medium:

Fill the water test column to a height of 300mm with the coarse grade of Ballotini (0.625mm
diameter, Grade 4502, Catalogue no. 136-014). Close the water flow control valve. Check that
there are no air bubbles in the water manometer or the tubing connected to it. Switch on water
pump. Adjust the water flow rate in increments of 0.1 l/min from 0.1 l/min to maximum flowrate.
At each setting allow the conditions to stabilize then record the height of the bed, the differential
reading on the manometer, and observe and record the state of bed. Determine the particle density
by weighing a known volume of the Ballotini. For the finer Ballotini Dp = 0.250mm.

Water as Fluidized Medium:

Fill the air test column to a height of 300mm with the fine grade of Ballotini, Grade 5216
(Catalogue no. 136-001). Turn the air flow control valve fully anticlockwise. Check that the water
levels in the manometer read zero, if not, adjust the level accordingly. Switch on the air pump.
Adjust the air flow rate in increments of 1.0 l/min. from 1 l/min to maximum flowrate (Note that
turning the valve clockwise increases the air flow). At each setting allow the conditions to stabilize
then record the height of bed, the differential reading on the manometer and state of the bed.
Increase flow rate in steps of 1.0 l/min and tabulate results. Determine the particle density by
weighing a known volume of the Ballotini. For the coarser Ballotini Dp = 0.625 m.

Experimental Data:
Table 1: Data Table (Air as Fluidizing Medium)

Bed Height (mm) Flow Rate (L/min) Bed Pressure Drop Bed State
(mm H2O)

Table 2: Data Table (Water as Fluidizing Medium)

Bed Height (mm) Flow Rate (L/min) Bed Pressure Drop Bed State
(mm H2O)
Calculation:
If calculating the Voidage ∈ from measurements then

Mass of Particles
∈=1−
Particle Density xTotal Bed Volume

Predicted pressure drop across a fixed bed:

Predicted pressure drop at fluidization:

Result and Discussion:


1. Draw the graph of bed pressure drop against water flow rate from the experimental values
obtained in both mediums

2. Compare the predicted fluidization point with the actual fluidization point obtained from the
graph in both medium. Give reasons for any discrepancies between the two values.

Reference:

Foust, A.S., Wenzel, L.A., Clump, C.W., Maus, L. and Andersen, L.B., 2008. Principles of unit
operations. John Wiley & Sons.

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