Fluidized Beds

A fluidized bed occurs when a solid is placed under the necessary conditions to make the solid water mixture act like a fluid. Using a fluidizer is one of the ways people can achieve this. To understand more about why someone would create one, it is crucial to understand more about beds. 

Properties

The fluidized bed has similar properties to a fluid. For instance, it has a relatively horizontal surface that demonstrates analogous and hydrostatic behavior. On the other hand, it is weighed the same as fluid and solid mixtures. 

Application

Fluidized beds are used in many different applications. For the most part, their processes make them valuable for chemical engineering and other modern manufacturing processes. They are also commonly used to accelerate freezing in the food processing industry. 

History

A scientist developed the first fluidization process for the coal industry in the early 20th century. During World War II, scientists developed the first fluidized bed for mineral cracking and metallurgical processing. Shortly afterward, scientists began experimenting with fluidized beds and refining them. This led to them spreading to multiple industries and having many applications. 

Types

There are several different categories of fluidized beds. The most popular include stationary, in-bubbling, circulating, vibratory, transport, annular, mechanical, and narrow fluidized beds. 

Creation

Beds are created by altering the fluid’s velocity as it passes over powders and other bed substances. To transform the bed from a packed solid to a fluid-like state, you must raise the velocity. Eventually, the mixture will reach a point where the solids are suspended within the substance and act like a fluid. This is known as a substance’s minimal fluidization velocity. 

Fluidized beds occur when fluid is passed over a bed of solids and suspends the particles, allowing them to act differently. This is used in a variety of applications due to the unique properties.