Clustering behavior of solid particles in two-dimensional liquid–solid fluidized-beds

In this paper, the clustering behavior of solid particles in a two-dimensional (2D) liquid–solid fluidized-bed was studied by using the charge coupled devices (CCD) imaging measuring and processing technique and was characterized by fractal analysis. CCD images show that the distribution of solid particles in the 2D liquid–solid fluidised-bed is not uniform and self-organization behavior of solid particles was observed under the present experimental conditions. The solid particles move up in the 2D fluidized-bed in groups or clusters whose configurations are often in the form of horizontal strands. The box fractal dimension of the cluster images in the 2D liquid–solid fluidized-bed increases with the rising of solid holdup and reduces with the increment of solid particle diameter and superficial liquid velocity. At given solid holdup and solid particle size, the lighter particles show smaller fractal dimensions.