HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF 2-PHASE INVERSE FLUIDIZED-BED

Hydrodynamic characteristics of a new mode of liquid-solid fluidizatio n, termed as ''inverse fluidization'' in which low density floating pa rticles are fluidized with downward flow of liquid, are experimentally investigated. The experiments are carried out with low density partic les (< 534 kg/m(3)) which allow high liquid throughputs in the system. During the operation, three regimes, namely, packed, semi-fluidizatio n and fully fluidization are encountered. Empirical correlations are p roposed to predict the pressure drop in each regime. A computational p rocedure is developed to simulate the variation of pressure drop with liquid velocity.