Small-Scale Particle Interactions Are Having Significant Effects on Global Fluidized Bed Behavior

Fluidized bed design and scale-up depends strongly on particle characteristics such as size, shape, and for Geldart Group A particles, the level of fines (particles smaller than 44 microns). However, recent research has shown that particle clustering has a significant effect on fluidized bed hydrodynamics which impacts how these units should be designed and scaled up. This is especially true with the estimation of the solids entrainment rate and the cyclone collection efficiency. The amount of fines, particle shape and surface morphology play a role on the level of particle clustering in a fluidized bed. The fine particles are an excellent conduit for moving charge as electrons or ions which appear to be the dominant mechanism of electrostatics for Geldart Group A material in a bubbling fluidized bed. This electrostatic force trades off with particle momentum relaxation and rotational to translation momentum transfer with regard to forming a particle cluster. The issue is the quantification of this effect so more precise calculations can be made with particle entrainment rates and cyclone collection efficiency. Preliminary work on particle shear in a packed and fluidized beds, suggest that particle clustering can be measured and may provide a quantifiable metric for the level of particle clustering.