Electrostatic charge generation in gas–solid fluidized beds

An on-line measurement technique was developed by applying the Faraday cup method to study the mechanism of charge generation inside gas–solid fluidized beds. The net charges generated inside the fluidized bed due to particle–gas contacting and gas ionization are examined. For the range of conditions studied, particle–gas contact and gas ionization have negligible effects on the particle charging mechanism. On the other hand, entrained fines leaving the top of the fluidization column carry charges out of the bed, resulting in build-up of a net charge inside the bed.