AGGLOMERATION OF POLYOLEFIN PARTICLES IN A FLUIDIZED-BED WITH A CENTRAL JET .1. EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

The agglomeration experiments were conducted in a 15.2 cm ID fluidized bed with a central jet using polyolefin particles. The extent of aggl omeration and temperature distribution in the fluidized bed were measu red at different jet and fluidizing air velocities and temperatures. T he extent of agglomeration increased with jet and fluidizing gas tempe rature and decreased with jet gas velocity. Higher fluidizing air temp eratures resulted in an outward stretch of temperature isotherms aroun d the jet. This enlargement in size of the region for temperature isot herms higher than softening temperature of bed materials enhanced the chance of sinter formation at the intersection of the jet and porous d istributor. To prevent sinter formation and enhance agglomeration, the jet temperature may be increased at proper jet gas velocity.