Experimental study on fluidization of micronic powders

The fluidization behavior of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) powders of high density and micronic diameter belonging to the group C of Geldart's classification has been investigated. Large interparticle forces lead to bed cracking, slugging and channelling, and cause the powder not to fluidize consistently. Different fluidization technologies have been tested, such as mechanical agitated fluidization, vibrated fluidization and addition of easy-to-fluidize large particles to fine particles. The quality of fluidization has been studied through pressure drop diagrams for decreasing gas velocities and for various fixed bed heights to column diameter ratios. In the case of stirred fluidization, several stirrer geometries have been tested (helix, turbine, etc.). However, the fluidization has not been satisfactory. By adding larger particles to fine powders, convenient fluidization conditions have been obtained. An inertia effect proportional to the initial bed weight seems to contribute to fluidization. Some evaluation of interparticle forces governing the tested mixture of fine/large particles has been performed by studying the influence of mass percentage of fine particles on the Hausner ratio and the angle of repose. Fluidization under vibration allows to partly overcome the adhesion forces between powders. The fluidization behavior has been improved for the highest vibration strengths. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.