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Fluid-particle interactions in a fluidized bed are discussed and a model is pre-sented for the prediction of the expansion of a nonspherical particle bed, by application of the equations governing the respective behaviour of spherical particle beds and after introduction of an appropriate spherical diameter. Experimental data provided by the backwashing literature, have been used to validate the model and to compare it with prediction equations presented by other authors. Recent backwashing literature is reviewed, while special emphasis is put on the concept of optimum backwashing conditions, where a specific correction to published views is proposed.