Theoretical Prediction and Experimental Investigation on the Critical Fluidization Velocity of Vibrated Fluidized Bed

According to the dynamical characteristic of the vibrated fluidized bed, the first and second fluidization stages and the first and second critical fluidization velocities were put forward. Based on the original definition of the critical fluidization velocity, a mathematical model was proposed to predict the first critical fluidization velocity. Experiments using glass beads with different diameters were conducted in a two-dimensional vibrated fluidized bed. The influences of bed vibration and other operation conditions on the critical fluidization velocities were analyzed. An empirical correlation equation used to predict the coefficient of vibration energy transfer was established, and the results of the model prediction were compared with the experimental data. The results show that with the increase of the bed vibration strength, the two critical fluidization velocities both decrease, while the bed vibration has a stronger influence on the first critical fluidization velocity, and that when the vibration strength is above 1.57, fluidization could be also occurred without aeration. The values of prediction for two critical fluidization velocities are in good agreement with experimental data.