Features:

• Experimental investigation of the fluidization process  
• Comparison of fluidized bed formation in gases and liquids  
• Pressure loss in fixed beds and fluidized beds  
• Optimum observation of processes through transparent tanks 

Bulk solids can be transformed from a fixed bed into a fluidized bed when liquids or gases pass  through them. The areas of application of fluidized beds include the drying of solids and a wide  variety of chemical processes.  
Tesca Fluidized Bed Formation Apparatus features two transparent test tanks for  fluidized bed formation in water and air. A diaphragm pump delivers water from a storage tank into  the bottom of the left side test tank. The water flows upwards through a porous sintered-metal plate.  On the sintered-metal plate is a bulk solid. If the velocity of the water is less than the so-called  fluidization velocity, the flow merely passes through the fixed bed. At higher velocities, the bed is  loosened to such an extent that individual solid particles are suspended by the fluid. If the velocity is  increased further, particles are carried out of the fluidized bed. A filter at the top of the test tank holds  these particles back. The water flows back into the storage tank.  

The right-side test tank is similar in construction to the left-side one. An airflow generated by a  compressor flows through it.  
Manometers are mounted on both test tanks to measure the pressure loss. The flow rates are  adjusted by way of valves and can be read from flow meters. The test tanks are removable. This  makes it easy to change the bulk solid filling.  
Glass-shot beads in a range of particle sizes are provided as the bulk solid filling. 

Specifications:

1. Investigation of fluidized bed formation of solids in air and water  
2. 2 transparent test tanks to observe fluidized bed formation in air/water  
3. 1 manometer per tank to measure the pressure loss through each test tank  
4. 1 steel rule per tank to measure the change in height of the fluidized beds 
5. Both test tanks removable for filling  
6. Storage tank with diaphragm pump for water supply  
7. Diaphragm compressor with compressed air accumulator for compressed air supply  
8. Adjustment of flow rate for both media by valves and flow meter  

Technical Specifications:
2 test tanks  
Length: 550mm  
Inside diameter: 44mm  
Scale division: 1mm  
Material: PMMA  
Diaphragm pump (water)  
Max. flow rate: 1,7L/min  
Max. head: 70m  
Diaphragm compressor (air)  
Max. volumetric flow rate: 39L/min  
Max. pressure: 2bar  
Tanks  
Water storage tank: approx. 4L  
Compressed air accumulator: 2L  
Measuring ranges  
Pressure (water): 0…500mmWC 
Pressure (air): 0…200mmWC 
Flow rate (water): 0,2…2,2L/min 
Flow rate (air): 4…32L/min 

Experiments:

1. Fundamentals of the fluidization of bulk solids  
2. Observation and comparison of the fluidization process in water and air  
3. Pressure loss depends on the flow velocity  
4. Pressure loss depends on the type and particle size of the bulk solid
5. Determination of the fluidization velocity and comparison with theoretically calculated values  (Ergun equation)  
6. The dependency of the height of the fluidized bed on the flow velocity 
7. Verification of Carman-Kozeny equation  

Requirements:
Mains Power 220 – 240V @ 50Hz, 1Ph