1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the experiment

In a packed bed of small particles, when fluid enters at sufficient velocity from the

bottom and passed up through the particles, the particles are push upward and the bed expands

and become fluidized. The phenomenon can be encountered both in nature like the natural

movement of ground water, crude petroleum or natural gas, through porous media as well as in

industrial operations like backwashing filters, ion exchange processes, extraction of soluble

components from raw materials and for certain types of chemical reactor. The fluidized bed

behaves differently as velocity, gas and solid properties are varied. There are different of regimes

of fluidization as shown in figure 1.1 below.

Figure 1.1: Fluidization regimes

In this experiment, the characteristics of fluidization in gas-solid system are studied by

using fine sand. The behavior, pressure drop and the thickness of fluidized bed form are studied

throughout the experiment. The important phenomenon of bubbling that occurs in gas-solid

systems can be observed when the gas velocity is in the excess of that required for fluidization in

the transparent wall.

1.2 Problem statement

Many industries use widely the application of fluidized bed for their processes. However,

the variation of the condition of the process would effect on fluidized bed’s performance. Hence

it is important to study the effect of various operation conditions like inlet air flow and how it

can affect the process.

1.3 Objective of the experiment

The objective of the experiment is to study the behaviour of fluidization.

1.4 Scopes of the experiment

The scope of the experiment is to investigate the principles of fluidization of fine sand

using fluidized bed. In addition, to study the effect of different air flowrate supplied to the

system on the characteristics of fluidized bed such as the thickness and the condition of fluidized

bed formed, and also the pressure drop.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Equipment use

3.2 Experimental procedure

1. The power switch was turned on.

2. The air flow rate (L/min) was adjusted to 2 L/min and wait for two minute.

3. The behavior of the fluidized bed of fine sand was observed when reach two minute and

the thickness of the bed fine sand (cm) and pressure drop (mmH2O) were measured and

recorded.

4. The measurement, recording and observation were repeated for 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16

and 18 L/min every minute.

5. The experiment is ended when there a big gap of the fine sand in the tube (burst). The

power switch was turned off after the experiment was done.