Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine minimum fluidization velocity of three different particles which represent different Geldart classification groups and to compare the results with computational results. The experiments were conducted using a fluidized cylindrical cold bed with uniform air distribution. The three particulate materials use were zirconia, bronze, and steel, classified as Geldart A, B and D particles, respectively, and the minimum fluidization velocities were found to be 0.015, 0.07 and 0.27 m/s, respectively. Using the commercial CPFD software Barracuda, the fluidized system was simulated using the Wen-Yu and Wen-Yu-Ergun multiphase flow models. The CPFD-determined minimum fluidization velocities for zirconia, bronze, and steel were found to be 0.008, 0.08 and 0.23 m/s, respectively, corresponding quite well with the experimental results for Geldart B and D particles.