KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

PETROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

FIXED BED FLUIDIZATION UNIT

GROUP 5A

15TH AUGUST, 2022

LIST OF GROUP MEMBERS

NAME INDEX NUMBER SIGNATURE

MACCARTHY COMFORT SIKA 8369119

AMOANYI JOYCELIN AKUWA 8365619

AZU AZARIAH JONATHAN 8367319

MENSAH COLLINS 8369519

KPAKPO JOCHEBED NAA A. 8368619

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TABLE OF CONTENT
AIMS/OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................ 3

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 4

CHEMICALS AND APPARATUS .................................................................................. 7

APPARATUS ............................................................................................................... 7

CHEMICALS ................................................................................................................ 8

PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................... 9

TABLE OF RESULTS ................................................................................................... 11

Data for using water as fluidizing agent ..................................................................... 11

Data for using air as fluidizing agent .......................................................................... 12

Table 1: Experiment 1 with water ............................................................................... 14

Table 2: Experiment for air ......................................................................................... 15

GRAPHS ..................................................................................................................... 16

Graph for water ........................................................................................................... 16

Graph for Air ............................................................................................................... 16

DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................. 17

PRECAUTIONS ............................................................................................................. 18

CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 19

POSTLAB ....................................................................................................................... 20

REFERENCES................................................................................................................ 22

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 AIMS/OBJECTIVES
1. Study of the basis of fixed bed fluidization.

2. Comparison of the fluidization process in water and air current.

3. Study the pressure drop through fixed and fluidized beds in function of the flow rate.

4. Verification of the Carman-Kozeny equation.

5. Study and determination of the minimum fluidization rate.

6. Observation of the ‘bubbling’ fluidization phenomenon.

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 INTRODUCTION
A fluidized bed is a physical phenomenon occurring when a quantity of a solid particulate
substance (usually present in a holding vessel) is placed under appropriate conditions to
cause a solid/fluid mixture to behave as a fluid. This is usually achieved by the
introduction of pressurized fluid through the particulate medium. This results in the
medium then having many properties and characteristics of normal fluids, such as the
ability to free-flow under gravity, or to be pumped using fluid type technologies. The
resulting phenomenon is called fluidization. Fluidized beds are used for several purposes,
such as fluidized bed reactors (types of chemical reactors), solids separation, fluid
catalytic cracking, fluidized bed combustion, heat or mass transfer or interface
modification, such as applying a coating onto solid items. This technique is also becoming
more common in aquaculture for the production of shellfish in integrated multi-trophic
aquaculture systems. Packed and fluidized beds play a major role in many chemical
engineering processes. Packed bed situations include such diverse processes as filtration,
wastewater treatment, and the flow of crude oil in a petroleum reservoir. In these cases,
the interest centers on the pressure drop through the bed as a function the volumetric flow
rate or superficial velocity. If the particles in the bed are loose and there is sufficient
volume in the device containing the particles, the particles may fluidize at high flow rates.
Fluidized beds are used extensively in the chemical process industries, particularly for
the cracking of high-molecular-weight petroleum fractions. Such beds inherently possess
excellent heat transfer and mixing characteristics. In the study of the fluid mechanical
behavior of these beds, the focus here is on the incipient fluidization velocity and the
dependence of bed expansion on the superficial velocity.
The term "fluidized bed" is unavoidably connected to the term "particulate solid
material". Particulate materials are mechanical mixtures of multitude of solid particles.
Natural particulate materials originate from many long-term natural processes: heating,
cooling, colliding, crushing and chopping up. Many technological processes also produce
particulate solid material: grinding, milling, evaporation, crystallization, spraying and
drying. Particulate materials can also be of organic (plant) origin: fruits and seeds.

The geometrical, physical and aerodynamic properties of particulate solid materials all
affect the onset of fluidization, and the characteristics, behavior and the main parameters
of fluidized beds. The most important solid properties are:

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• particle density (not taking porosity into account),

• bulk density - mass per unit volume of fixed bed,

• porosity (or void fraction) of the fixed bed - ratio of volume of space between the
particles and the volume of the fixed bed,

• mean equivalent particle diameter - particle characteristic dimension,

• particle shape,

• particle size distribution - probability distribution of particle distribution due to their

size
• free fall (or terminal) velocity - velocity of falling particle at which gravitational,

Archimedes and drag forces are in equilibrium.

• Fluidization depends largely on the particle size and the air velocity.

Characteristics of fluidized bed systems include:

• Extremely high surface area contacts between fluid and solid per unit bed volume.

• High relative velocities between the fluid and the dispersed solid phase.

• Frequent particle-particle and particle-wall collisions.

Theoretical expressions for unrecoverable pressure loss in Newtonian fluids in laminar

flow was being derived by Hagen-Poiseuille given by; LU Where 𝜇𝑓 is the
fluid viscosity and U the volumetric flux. Energy dissipation is in this case brought about
by fluid interaction with tube wall.

U→ 𝑈⁄𝜀 D→ 𝐷𝑒, yields, for bed sphere:

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The confrontation of this expression for the unrecoverable pressure loss with
experimental measurements has led to the constant being increased from 72 to 150, with
which value the relation becomes known as the Carman-Kozeny.

Simply adding together the expressions for ∆𝑃 for viscous and inertial conditions yields
an equation that has proved capable of providing reasonable estimates of the
unrecoverable pressure loss over the whole operating range normally encountered for
packed beds. This convenient equation is normally referred to as the Ergun equation;

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 CHEMICALS AND APPARATUS
APPARATUS

1. Fixed bed fluidization unit.

2. Gas compressor

3. Computer valve regulator.

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Figure 1: showing fluidized bed apparatus

1. CONTROL SWITCH: used to turn on the air circuit.

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2. DIFFERENTIAL WATER MANOMETER: used to measure pressure drop.
3. VARIABLE AREA FLOWMETER: used for measuring flow rate.
4. BED
5. FLOW CONTOL VALVE: used to alter the flow rate.
6. BRASS DISK: supports the particle inside the test column and helps to distribute
water uniformly across the section of the test column.

CHEMICALS

1. Water

2. Fine glass material.

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 PROCEDURE
1. Fill the filtering column at the left side with some fine glass material (250-420
microns) up to a specific height (for example: 50mm).
2. Close the water shut-off valve (VR-1) to the column.
3. Switch the pump (AB-1) and gradually open the flow regulation valve (VR-1) until
a low flow is obtained and the bed remains still. Record the pressure drop generated
in the column and the water flow too which it corresponds.
4. Keep on opening the valve gradually and measure the pressure drop the flow of water
and the height of the bed several time (starting from an average between the higher
and the lower height of the bed), thus obtaining enough measurement points so as to
perform the study perfectly.
5. Repeat the experiment varying the initial height of the bed (for example: 100mm).
6. Fill the filtering column at the right side with some fine glass material (170-
300microns) up to a specific height (for example: 50mm) an repeat the experiment
using air results and tables.
7. Record the obtained results in a tabular form containing the following; flow rate,
initial height, final height, pressure drop.
8. Calculate ε0 (porosity of the initial bed). To calculate the initial bed porosity

a) Add a known volume of bed packing (thin or thick glass particles).

b) Record the volume and add known volumes of water until the entire packing is
covered.

Ε0=Ai/A = Vi* l/V*l

VI = volume of water added.

V = volume of solid packing.

9. Calculate the rate of flow, U and porosity ε in each case and complete and complete
the table.
a) The rate of flow depends on the volumetric flow rate and the cross-sectional area.
b) Calculate porosity ε;

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ε= 1- L0/L+ ε0 ε0 : Initial
porosity of the bed.

ε : Porosity.

L0 : Initial height of the bed.

L: Height of the bed at a specific time.

10. Plot P against X and check that it corresponds to Carman-Kozeny equation (µ and
d, are constant).

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 TABLE OF RESULTS
Data for using water as fluidizing agent

Sample Q (l/min) Hinitial(mm) Hfinal (mm) ∆P (mmH2O)

1 0.7 109 109 2

2 0.8 109 110 11.8

3 0.9 110 111 16.8

4 1 111 113 18.2

5 1.1 113 120 18.1

6 1.3 100 124 18.4

7 1.4 124 125 18.5

8 9.9 125 126 18.5

9 11.5 126 129 18.6

10 13.5 129 134 19

11 16.8 134 142 19.2

12 19.5 142 150 19.4

13 21.9 150 155 19.6

14 25.8 155 162 20.5

15 33.4 162 173 20.8

16 40 173 182 21.2

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Data for using air as fluidizing agent

Sample Q(L/min) HINITIAL (mm) HFINAL (mm) ∆P (mmH2O)

1 6.5 67 67 0
2 6.5 67 67 0
3 6.5 67 67 0
4 6.5 67 67 0
5 6.5 67 67 0
6 6.5 67 67 1.6
7 6.4 67 67 2.3
8 6.5 67 67 3.1
9 6.5 67 67 3.9
10 6.4 67 67 4.9
11 6.5 67 67 6.1
12 6.4 67 67 7.4
13 6.4 67 67.5 9
14 6.4 67.5 71 10.1
15 10.3 71 75 10.6
16 13.1 75 77 10.9
17 15.8 77 80 10.9
18 21.1 80 84 11.1
19 23 84 85 11.2
20 23.2 85 86 11.4

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VELOCITY CALCULATION

Velocity (U) =

A = πd2/4

Diameter (d) = 5cm = 5×10-2m

= 0.00196m2

Flow rate (Q) =

Velocity (U) = 1.083 =0.0552m/s

Similar calculations were done for all the experiments

Porosity calculations

ε = 1- (Lo/L) + εo ε = 1-
(109/109) + 0.3 = 0.3

Similar calculations were done for all the experiments

∆X CALCULATIONS

ΔX =

ΔX = =0

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Table 1: Experiment 1 with water

Sample Q(L/s) U(m/s) ∆𝑃 ∆𝑋 (10-3m)

1 0.7 5.942×10−3 0.3 2 0.5265

2 0.8 6.791×10−3 0.309 11.8 0.6663

3 0.9 7.639×10−3 0.309 16.8 0.7269

4 1 8.488×10−3 0.318 18.2 1.058

5 1.1 9.337×10−3 0.358 18.1 3.8496

6 1.3 11.035×10−3 0.494 18.4 0.4657

7 1.4 11.884×10−3 0.308 18.5 0.6586

8 9.9 84.034×10−3 0.308 18.5 0.0687

9 11.5 97.615×10−3 0.323 18.6 0.0708

10 13.5 114.592×10−3 0.337 19 0.0718

11 16.8 142.603×10−3 0.356 19.2 0.0604

12 19.5 165.521×10−3 0.353 19.4 0.0424

13 21.9 185.893×10−3 0.332 19.6 0.0429

14 25.8 218.508×10−3 0.343 20.5 0.0429

15 33.4 283.508×10−3 0.364 20.8

16 40 339.531×10−3 0.349 21.2 0.0307

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Table 2: Experiment for air

Sample Q(L/s) U(m/s) ∆𝑃 ∆𝑋

1 6.5 0.055 0.300 0 0

2 6.5 0.055 0.300 0 0

3 6.5 0.055 0.300 0 0

4 6.5 0.055 0.300 0 0

5 6.5 0.055 0.300 0 0

6 6.5 0.055 0.300 1.6 0.0004

7 6.4 0.054 0.300 2.3 0.0006

8 6.5 0.055 0.300 3.1 0.00077

9 6.5 0.055 0.300 3.9 0.001

10 6.4 0.054 0.300 4.9 0.0012

11 6.5 0.055 0.300 6.1 0.0015

12 6.4 0.054 0.300 7.4 0.0019

13 6.4 0.054 0.307 9 0.0025

14 6.4 0.054 0.349 10.1 0.0046

15 10.3 0.087 0.353 10.6 0.0032

16 13.1 0.111 0.326 10.9 0.0019

17 15.8 0.134 0.338 10.9 0.0018

18 21.1 0.179 0.348 11.1 0.0015

19 23 0.195 0.312 11.2 0.0009

20 23.2 0.197 0.312 11.4 0.0009

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GRAPHS

Graph for water

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20

15

10

0
0 0.0005 0.001 0.0015 0.002 0.0025 0.003 0.0035 0.004 0.0045
ΔX

Fig 2. Experiment 1 with water

Graph for Air

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10

0
-0.001 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005
-2
ΔX

Fig 3. Experiment 1 with air

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 DISCUSSION
In experiment 1 of water, the plot of ∆P against ∆X seemed linear. However, solid
conclusion on linearity cannot be drawn since the experiment was repeated only a few
times due fault in the equipment used.

It was observed from the experiment that as the air was passed upward through the bed
of particles the pressure loss in the fluid due to friction increased with increasing fluid
flow rate. ∆X increased with increasing flow rate. A point was reached when the upward
drag force exerted by the fluid was equal to the apparent buoyant weight of particles in
the bed. At this fluid flow rate the particles were lifted by the fluid, the separation of the
particles increased, and the bed became fluidized. The force balance across the fluidized
bed dictates that the fluid pressure loss across the bed of the particles is equal to the
apparent weight of the particles per unit area of the bed. With the fine glass in the cylinder,
increase in flow rate results in a continued expansion of bed until a bed of maximum
porosity was reached. After this point, the frictional pressure drop across the bed is equal
to the buoyant weight per unit area of particles.

When water was used as the fluid for the thick glass a similar observation as used in air
were made, that is increase flow rate resulted in increase in pressure drop. Porosity was
affected by the flow rate; an increase in flow rate also increased the porosity.

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 PRECAUTIONS
1. Regulator valve was opened gradually to ensure low smooth flow.
2. Fixed bed was maintained at low flow rates.

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 CONCLUSION
The aims and objectives of the lab were obtained. Comparing the fluidization process in
water and air currents, the graphs, showed that, the pressure drop across a bed is directly
proportional to the fluid flow rate at lower rates. The pressure drop also then eventually
assumes a straight horizontal line for constant pressure drop. It can be concluded that
fixed bed is obtained at small flows and will be kept while the initial height of the bed is
maintained at all times.

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 POSTLAB
1. Fluidization is defined as the process in which a gas or liquid is blown upward

and evenly through a bed of solid granular particles with sufficient force to cause the

particles to rise up and move around their container.

Advantages of Fluidization

• Fluidization causes the vigorous agitation of solids by the moving fluid, and the mixing

of the solid ensures that there is no practically temperature gradient.

Disadvantages of fluidization

• Uneven contacting of gas and solids.

• Erosion of vessel internals.

• Entrapment of some of the solid particles with the fluid.

2. Three practical applications of this experiment

• Ion exchange

• Extraction of soluble compounds from their raw materials.

• Petroleum refinery.

3. Mass of solid (m) = 1.96 kg

Density of solid (ρ) =2.8 gcm-3 = 2800 kg/m3

Diameter of cylindrical vessel (d) = 10 cm = 0.1m

Height of bed (h) = 20 cm = 0.2 m

The volume of the vessel occupied by the bed (Vb)

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The volume of the solid in the vessel (Vs)

Volume of water added (𝑉1) = 𝑉𝑏 − 𝑉𝑠

V1 = (0.0015708) − (7 ∗ 10−4) = 8.7079 ∗ 10−4 m3

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 REFERENCES
P.C. Carman, Fluid flow through granular beds, Transactions, Institution of Chemical
Engineers, 15:150-166, 1937
S. Enugu and A.A. Orming, Fluid flow through packed columns, Chemical engineering
progress, 48:89-94, 1952.
W.E McCabe, J.C. Smith, and P. Harriot, Unit operations of vhemical engineering,
McGraw Hill, New York, 2001

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