The expansion behavior of solid particles fluidized by liquid within f
ixed packings was studied by the conductimetric method. The electrodes
conforming the conductivity cell were embedded in the container walls
with their center at half the height of the fluidized bed. The axial
solids distribution was also measured by this technique by placing ten
conductivity cells along the column. The study is limited to intermed
iate and turbulent flow regimes, due to the density and size of the pa
rticles used. Depending on the geometry of the packed bed, the operati
ng range in terms of superficial velocity and the homogeneity of the f
luidized bed differ from those obtained for fluidization in an empty c
olumn. Taking into account geometric aspects of the systems, a method
of estimating the fluidization parameters is derived.