E. N. Wami - Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Rivers State University of Science and Technology

Fluidization of initially segregated binary mixtures has been investigated for particle systems of the same material. This paper reports experiments conducted in ۰.۰۵۵m diameter fluidizes bed for binary mixtures composed of sands whose sizes ranged from ۴۵۰ to ۱۴۵۰mm. An empirical relationship, Utf = ۰.۹۵ UF (dR)۰.۸۷, was derived in terms of the minimum fluidization of the smaller particle, UF , and particle diameter ratio, dR , for predicting the velocity at commencement of total fluidization. This expression was found also suitable for estimating the take-over velocity or equidensity binary systems which enables good prediction of mixing behaviour. The corresponding exprrision for pressures drop at the commencement of total fluidization was = exp(۱.۷ UF(dR)۰.۱۳)

Fluidization, fluidized bed, Minimum Fluidizing Velocity, Take, over Velocity