Particle Residence Times in Fluidized Bed Granulation Equipments

Various types of fluidized bed equipments used in granulation were experimentally investigated in order to gain a more detailed insight in particle recirculation behavior and particle residence times in the two considered compartments, namely the spray compartment and the drying compartment. The investigated fluidized bed technologies comprise a top-spray process, a spout fluidized bed without and with internal riser, and a spouted bed. The measurements were conducted by using image analysis techniques on an almost 2D particle flow. From the results, conclusions about particle wetting and drying can be extracted, subject to fluidization velocity, nozzle mass flow rate, and facility/riser construction.