Effect of temperature on the minimum spouting velocity of heavy particles in conical spouted bed used for nuclear fuel coating

The minimum spouting velocity (Ums) of heavy particles in conical spouted bed at high temperatures are critical importance for nuclear fuel coating, which are different from that at room temperature. However, current re-searches on the Ums were concentrated on the Cold Mockup spouted bed. There were few studies about the Ums of heavy particles in conical spouted bed at high temperatures. In this study, the effect of temperature (373-1273 K) on the Ums is systematically investigated. A new Ums correlation with temperature, cone angle, static bed height, particle diameter and particle density is obtained:Ums = 3.30 x 10(8) center dot (dp)(1.63) center dot pp)0.57 center dot (tan gamma)(1.18) center dot (H0)(1.45)center dot 2Dc (T)- (1.44). The equation extends the application of the Ums at high temperatures and can be applied to determine the Ums value well under different temperature. Besides, the influence mechanism of temperature, cone angle, static bed height, particle diameter and particle density on the Ums has been discussed. This correlation is rec-ommended for the determination of the Ums well at high temperatures and thus provides significant reference for producing coated fuel particles of high quality.