EFFECTS OF GAS TYPE AND TEMPERATURE ON FINE PARTICLE FLUIDIZATION

The influence of gas type (helium and argon) and bed temperature (77-473 K) on the fluidization behaviour of Geldart groups C and A particles was investigated. For both types of particles tested, i.e., Al2O3 (4.8 μm) and glass beads (39 μm), the fluidization quality in different gases shows the following priority sequence: Ar＞He. In the same gaseous atmosphere, the particles when fluidized at an elevated temperature usually show larger bed voidages, higher bed pressure drops, and a lower umf for the group A powder, all indicating an enhancement in fluidization quality. Possible mechanisms governing the operations of gas type and temperature in influencing the fluidization behaviours of fine particles have been discussed with respect to the changes in both gas properties and interparticle forces (on the basis of the London-van der Waals theory). Gas viscosity (varying significantly with gas-type and temperature) proves to be the key parameter that influences the bed pressure drops and umf in fluidization of fine particles, while the interparticle forces (also varying with gas-type and temperature) may play an important role in fine-particle fluidization by affecting the expansion behaviour of the particle-bed.