Bubble properties in three-phase inverse fluidized beds with viscous liquid medium

Abstract

Bubble properties such as size, rising velocity and frequency have been measured and investigated in a three-phase inverse fluidized bed with viscous liquid medium, whose diameter and height are 0.152 and 2.5 m, respectively. Effects of gas and liquid velocities, liquid viscosity and particle density (particle kind) on the bubble properties have been determined. It has been found that the size and frequency of bubbles have increased with increasing gas or liquid velocity, while the bubble rising velocity increases with increasing gas velocity but decreases with liquid velocity. The bubble size and rising velocity have increased but the frequency has decreased, with increasing liquid viscosity. The values of bubble properties have been well correlated in terms of operating variables. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.