Use of optical probes to characterize bubble behavior in gas‐solid fluidized beds

Abstract

Abstract Optical probes are used to study gas‐solid fluidized‐bed hydrodynamics. The probes each consisting of a light source and photodetector separated by a gap are suitable for use at combustion‐level temperatures. The methodology to process the signal for calculation of bubble properties such as bubble frequency, local bubble residence time, bubble velocity, pierced length, bubble size, and visible bubble flow is presented. The signal processing technique is independent of bed operating conditions. The probe signal processing methodology is validated by comparing calculated bubble properties based on the probe signal with properties observed on videotapes of a 2‐D bed.