SLUGGING CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUP-D PARTICLES IN FLUIDIZED-BEDS

Pressure fluctuations within a bed of Type D particles (coarse sand, l ong grain rice, red spring wheat, 10 mm glass beads, pearl barley and whole peas) were measured at various bed heights. Analysis of the pres sure fluctuation profiles leads to correlations that predict the minim um slugging velocity and slugging frequency, within experimental range s. Results reveal that past correlations have little success in predic ting the slugging characteristics for large particles. Particle shape plays an important role on the type of slug formed and therefore on th e values of slugging frequency and minimum slugging velocity. Large pa rticles with low sphericity formed wall slugs with high slugging frequ encies and required the greatest amount of excess air to achieve slugg ing.