Analysis of fluid dynamics in a spouted bed with continuous solids feeding

An experimental study was carried out on fluid dynamics and solids movement in a modified spouted bed with the feeding of particles through the base, at different air rates, particle feed rates and bed heights. Moreover, a model was adapted for the base-feed configuration, and results of its numerical resolution were compared with experimental data. Analysis showed that the modeling of the bed is complex due to a lack of knowledge of fundamental spout parameters, such as the fluid-particle drag coefficient. Air velocities in the spout were predicted by the model with a maximum deviation of 15%, whereas prediction of particle velocities in the spout yielded maximum deviations of 50%.