The structure of the suspension corresponding to the S-shaped profile of fast fluidization and the mechanism for transfer of solids from dense region to dilute have yet to be fully revealed.
Techniques used include process tomography and pressure analysis.
A momentum probe has also been used to map the direction and magnitude of solids flow in the riser. Tomographic imaging, pressure probes and tracer techniques are used to characterise bed dynamics and their changes with scale. The objectives of the work are to determine the criteria for similarity in fluid bed behaviour and to gather data for validation of numerical models under development in other CRC projects. The aim of this project is to determine the effect of pressure on minimum fluidization velocity, minimum bubbling velocity, bed expansion, bubble size and particle motion near to the bed wall in bubbling fluidized beds. The apparatus in use is capable of operating at pressures up to 25 bar at room temperature.