A minimal potential energy model for predicting stratification pattern in binary and ternary solid-liquid fluidized beds

Predicting the stratification pattern of a binary or ternary solid-liquid fluidized bed requires not only the calculation of the volume fractions of particles in mixed and mono-component layers but also the specification of the order and the thickness of the layers in the bed. A model was developed for such prediction on the hypothesis that the total potential energy of particles in a bed is minimal. Experiments were carried out for a solid system consisting of glass beads, activated carbon and acrylic particles. The experimental results verified the predicted stratification patterns computed on the basis of the hypothesis adopted in this study.