Models for prediction of hydrodynamic characteristics of gas–solid tapered and mini-tapered fluidized beds

Prediction of hydrodynamic characteristics is a prerequisite in the design and operation of tapered and mini-tapered fluidized beds. This paper has been focused on the development of generalized models for prediction of minimum fluidization velocity and maximum pressure drop in gas–solid tapered and mini-tapered fluidized beds. The empirical correlations were developed based on dimensionless analysis of empirical data. These correlations have the ability to predict the minimum fluidization velocity and maximum pressure drop in both tapered and cylindrical beds (the beds with tapered angle of zero). The empirical data were collected from tapered beds with different cone angles for various particles. The predicting capability of correlations has been discussed. Predicted values of minimum fluidization velocity and maximum pressure drop by the proposed models compared well with the empirical data. The effects of tapered angle are also discussed.