Real-time measurement of bubbling phenomena in a three-dimensional gas-fluidized bed using ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging

Ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging has been applied for the first time to measure simultaneously both the rise velocities and coalescence of bubbles, and the dynamics of the solid phase in a gas-solid two-phase flow. Here, we consider the hydrodynamics within a gas-fluidized bed of particles of diameter 0.5 mm contained within a column of internal diameter 50 mm; gas velocities in the range of 0.18-0.54 m/s were studied. The data are of sufficient temporal and spatial resolution that bubble size and the evolution of bubble size and velocity following coalescence events are determined.