The hydrodynamics of a three-phase airlift reactor of magnetic particles ha
s been investigated in the presence of a transverse magnetic field. Experim
ents were carried out in two modes: applying the magnetic field to a static
bed then increasing the field flow, and applying the magnetic field to a f
luidized bed then increasing the magnetic field intensity. In magnetizing t
he first mode and parallel to the increasing gas superficial velocity, seve
ral bed regimes were observed, including: initial packed, stabilized, and f
luidized beds. On the other hand, in magnetizing last mode and while increa
sing the magnetic field intensity, the fluidized bed changes from a fluidiz
ed to a stabilized to frozen bed. Bed expansion before the onset of fluidiz
ation increases as the magnetic field intensity increases. Minimum fluidiza
tion velocity was found to be strongly dependent on the magnetic field inte
nsity and the minimum stabilization intensity was also strongly dependent o
n the gas velocity. The magnetic field intensity also affects the bed expan
sion hysteresis and the liquid circulation velocity. A photocell was used t
o measure the water circulation rate in the downcomer of the reactor.