Particulate and aggregative fluidization - 50 years in retrospect

This paper outlines a series of studies on particulate and aggregative flui dization, starting from its first observation in the 1940's and culminating in its modeling, which both discriminates and reconciles these two types o f fluidization, and in the experimental corroboration of the model with the use of supercritical carbon dioxide. These studies span three generations of efforts over the course of half a century and provide valuable knowledge in the interactive use of these two types of fluidization in developing ne w processes. The paper also outlines what to expect in extending this knowl edge base into the next half century. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All ri ghts reserved.