Variation of bed pressure drop with particle shapes in a swirling fluidized bed

In fluidized bed processes, bed pressure drop is crucial as it determines the pumping power required. However, the physical parameters that influence the bed pressure drop are yet to be fully established. The present work studies the effect of particle shape on bed pressure drop in a swirling fluidized bed. The three different shapes of particle used in the work are; cylindrical, spherical and ellipsoidal, with different bed weights (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 kg). Blades with overlap angle of 9° and blade inclination of 10° were used in this experiment. The results showed an increase in the bed pressure drop with an increase in bed weight for all three particles regardless of shape. Spherical shaped particles were seen to have the highest pressure drop compared to the others due to a smaller exposed surface area. When the data acquired in the work was plotted a hysteresis loop was observed which was due to the extra energy required for the rearrangement or unlocking of particle at incipient fluidization.