Flow regimes in circulating fluidized beds

Abstract

Abstract Based on a comprehensive hydrodynamic analysis, a practical definition of the circulating fluidized bed (CFB) regime has been proposed. It was established that two flow regimes are involved in a CFB: fast fluidization and dense phase conveying. By demonstrating the variation of pressure gradient in both the lower and the upper section of the bed versus superficial gas velocity, the criteria for the determination of transition velocities have been obtained. Literature data which over wider operating conditions, particle properties and bed diameters from the basis of the obtained generalized correlations of transition velocities. A quantitative flow diagram is presented.