Dynamics of a shallow fluidized bed

The results of the experimental study of the dynamics of a shallow fluidize d bed are reported. The behavior of granular material is controlled by the interplay of two factors-levitation due to the upward airflow, and sliding back due to gravity. Near the threshold of instability, the system shows cr itical behavior with remarkably long transient dynamics. The experimental o bservations are compared with a simple cellular automata model. [S1063-651X (99)03812-X].