Fluidization of tea

This work characterizes the fluidization parameters for tea particles. Rela tionships were determined for minimum fluidizing velocity, pressure drops a cross the bed and bedplate and bed expansion. The different bedplate design s only affect the fluidization by the range of loads that fluidize well on each bedplate. The values determined in this study can be used for design, operation and control of tea dryers. Limitations on the range of permissibl e air velocities and bed loadings were determined. (C) 1999 Silsoe Research Institute.