This equipment has been designed to study how a water or air flow crosses fixed and fluidized beds of solid particles and to observe the difference between “aggregative” and “particulate” fluidization. Moreover this unit can be used to obtain experimental data of fluidization of real beds (catalyst beds, filtration beds, etc…).

Technical Specifications:

Framework of AISI 304 stainless steel

Double-diaphragm compressor, Q max = 39 l/min, P max = 2 bar, with air storing reservoirs

Water tank of AISI 304 stainless steel with capacity of 6 litres

Pump of AISI 316 stainless steel, Q max = 1500 l/h, H max = 2 bar

2 measuring pipes of transparent Plexiglas with support and filter of sintered steel; height = 550 mm, inside diameter = 44 mm, range: 0 to 500 mm

2 beds of material with different granulometry

Double-pipe pressure gauge, with range of 0 to 500 mmH 2 O

U-tube pressure gauge for air, with range of 0 to 300 mm H 2 O

Variable area flowmeter with control micro-valve and range of 7 to 70 l/h

Variable area flowmeter with control micro-valve and range of 300 to 1700 Nl/h

Safety valve adjusted at 0.5 bar.

Power supply: 230 Vac 50 Hz single-phase – 0.5 kVA

Dimensions: 750 x 600 x 1000 mm

Weight: 50 kg.