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Title: Experimental analysis of a mechanically stirred spouted bed dryer

Journal Article · · Drying Technology

In order to increase the movement of the particles in the annular region of a conical spouted bed, a mechanical stirrer was incorporated. This led to a study of the fluid dynamics of the conical spouted bed of inert particles under different operating conditions: mass of inert particles, ratio of inert particles to suspension volumes, type of stirrer (2 designs) and stirrer speed. The action of the stirrers resulted in increased movement of the particles, especially at low rpm values ({le}90 rpm), with the loss of the annular region, and thus approaching the beds behavior to that of a fluidized bed. To characterize this novel type of spouted beds, the minimum spouting flow (Q{sub ms}) parameter which is used usually was replaced by the minimum pseudo-fluidizing flow (Q{sub mpf}). The value of Q{sub mpf} decreases when the agitation in the bed increases. A correlation for Q{sub mpf} with the different operating conditions was developed. Drying suspensions in the stirred spouted bed shows a considerable increase of drying capacity, over units without agitation.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Santiago (CL)
OSTI ID:
20082160
Journal Information:
Drying Technology, Vol. 18, Issue 1-2; Other Information: PBD: Jan 2000; ISSN 0737-3937
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English