Minimum fluidization velocity determination based on pressure drop across the distributor
Journal
Powder Technology
Journal Volume
476
Start Page
122347
ISSN
00325910
Date Issued
2026-06
Author(s)
Abstract
The minimum fluidization velocity ( U mf) is a key parameter in the operation of gas–solid fluidized beds. Conventional methods for determining U mf, based on the relationship between the gas pressure drop across the bed and the superficial gas velocity, are influenced by the bed conditions, leading to difficulties in U mf identification, especially at high bed loadings. Given the distributor pressure drop exhibits higher sensitivity to changes in gas flow and directly reflects the evolution of local bed porosity immediately above the distributor during the fixed-to-fluidized transition, this study proposes a new method for U mf determination based on the pressure drop across the distributor. The effects of particle size, bed weight, and distributor opening ratio on the U mf determined by the proposed method are investigated. Compared with the conventional bed pressure-drop method, the distributor pressure-drop-based method enables clearer identification of U mf within the transition region from fixed bed to fluidized bed. The new method is particularly effective at high bed loadings and for distributors with high opening ratios.
Subjects
Distributor
Minimum fluidization velocity
Pressure drop
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article