EVALUATION OF MINIMUM FLUIDIZING VELOCITY IN GAS FLUIDIZED BED FROM PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS*

A new experimental method for the evaluation of minimum fluidizing velocity in gas fluidized beds is proposed based on the pressure fluctuations measurements. The minimum fluidizing velocity is determined solely from the measurements in the fluidized bed regime, unlike the traditional method, where experiments in the fixed bed regime are also necessary. Using the proposed method the on-line evaluation and prediction of the minimum fluidizing velocity is possible which is important for the control of industrial fluidized bed reactors.