Rotating fluidized beds in a static geometry: Experimental proof of concept

The new concept of a rotating fluidized bed in a static geometry (RFB-SG) is presented. The rotating motion of the particle bed and the tangential fluidization of the solids are obtained by the tangential injection of the fluidization gas via multiple gas inlet slots in the outer cylindrical wall of the fluidization chamber. The solids experience a radially outwards centrifugal force. The gas, on the other hand, is forced to move radially inwards towards a chimney with one or more outlet slots, creating a radially inwards gas-solid drag force and fluidizing the solids radially. The new fluidization concept is experimentally investigated and proven using one and the same non-optimized fluidization chamber design with either large diameter, low density polymer particles or small diameter, higher density Alumina particles. The fluidization chamber is operated in continuous mode, at different solids loadings and in the vertical and horizontal position. (c) 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.