Solids motion and holdup profiles in liquid fluidized beds

Non-invasive gamma rays-based techniques, computer tomography and computer-aided radioactive particle tracking, were used to measure solid holdup and solid velocity profiles in liquid–solid fluidized beds. The time averaged velocity measurements indicated that multiple circulation cells exist in the column. The solid motion was upward in the center and downward near the walls in the fully developed part of the column. The flow pattern is reversed in the entry region of the column. The solid holdup values increase slightly with the increase in radial position in the fully developed region. The average values of holdup in the column were in agreement with other measurements and with the modified Richardson–Zaki equation. The solids mean velocities and eddy diffusivities increase with increase in liquid superficial velocity, column size, particle size and density. Distributor-type affects the mean velocity and turbulence parameters while the column height has a relatively minor effect. The solids motion and turbulence parameters presented here are useful for validation of CFD models.