Fluidization and mixing behaviors of Geldart groups A, B and C particles assisted by vertical vibration in fluidized bed

[Display omitted] •High mixing efficiency of two particles assisted by vibration.•The vibration frequency was directly proportional to the pressure drop.•The mixing index improved with the increasing fluidizing time.•The minimum fluidization velocity decreased with the increasing vibration frequency. Geldart groups A (NiO – 1300 μm, green), B (MoO3 - 480 μm, white), and C (NiO – 30 μm, gray color and MoS2 – 25 μm, black) particles were used in a transparent, acrylic fluidized bed reactor. The experiment was carried out for four cases by setting the position of the particles injected in the reactor as a variable. For these cases, Geldart group C particles (which are typically difficult to fluidize) were included. When easily fluidizable particles were placed at the bottom of the fluidized bed reactor, particle circulation and bubbling occurred. Channeling occurred when there were particles that were difficult to fluidize. Homogeneous fluidization was possible with vibration when channeling occurred. With the increasing vibration frequency, the pressure drop increased, and the minimum fluidization velocity decreased. The occurrence of channeling via vibration resulted in a high mixing index and variations in the pressure drop.