Influence of pressure on the minimum fluidization velocity

Journal article, 1991

The influence of pressure on minimum fluidization velocity has been measured in a pressurized fluidized bed. Three different bed materials, corresponding to Geldart's group B or group D particles, were investigated at pressures between 0.1 and 1.6 MPa. The onset of fluidization was determined both visually and by pressure drop measurements. The results show a clear decrease in the minimum fluidization velocity with increasing pressure. The experimental results are in good accord with results obtained using the Ergun equation. A number of simplified correlations derived from the Ergun equation were also investigated. While many of these give a good description of the pressure effect, their accuracy varies significantly for different bed materials.