Minimum fluidization & bed expansion

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Estimate the minimum fluidization velocity from hindered-drag correlations. Visualize how the bed expands with superficial gas/liquid velocity (top graph) or what is the equilibrium superficial velocity as a function of the bed voidage (bottom graph).

Particle diameter d_p [m]

Particle density ρ_p [kg/m³]

Fluid density ρ_f [kg/m³]

Dynamic viscosity μ [Pa·s]

Packed voidage ε₀ [–]

Compute

Hindered drag model

Beetstra et al. (2007) Di Felice (1994) Tenneti et al. (2011) Rong et al. (2015) Wen–Yu (1966)

Beetstra et al. (2007)

Minimum fluidization velocity U_mf – m/s

Slip velocity at U_mf – m/s

Particle Re at U_mf –