Geneq > Teaching Equipment > Process Engineering

Study of fluidization or drying in fluidized bed: gas-solid
Model GPC FL2


  • The unit is delivered complete with instrumentation, technical documentation, and instructions.
  • This unit allows one to monitor a drying aluminum powder with known humidity in a fluidized bed.
  • The frame equipped with wheels makes it easy to move the unit.
  • The chamber is made from borosilicate glass allowing observation of the process. (The option to use stainless steel for this container is also available.)
  • This unit is designed for various levels and fields of study.
  • The testing chamber consists of transparent materials and is easily opened to change the material.
UTILITIES
 Electricity : 380 VAC Three-phased 50/60 Hz - 0.3 kW
Compressed air: 12 m3/h at 1 bar (14.5 psi) minimum
DIMENSIONS
Length: 1200 mm
Width: 450 mm
Height: 1500 mm
Weight: 85 kg

Application
  • Study of the behavior of various products in a fluidized bed.
    - Study of the rate of air flow and the pressure in a fixed or fluidized product.
    - Study of the heat transmission coefficient as a function of the superficial speed, the depth of immersion, and the size of the particles.
  • About the following of the drying operation:
    - Mass and heat balances
    - Using the humid air diagram (Mollier)
    - Determining head losses
    - Determining the rate of fluidization: kinetic computation

Specifications

  • 1 & 3- Air network
    - Linear filter
    - Expansion valve
    - Adjusting needle gate
    - Two air flow rate measurement – small and large scale
    - Air exhausting filter
    - PVC expansion valve 0-3 bar (45 psi) with 1 upstream filter
  • 2- Air drier and disoiler
    - Drying by adsorption
    - Cartridge of aluminum with activated aluminum
    - cartridge - silicagel
  • 4- Air heater
    - Power 2000 W to 150 °C
    - Minimal flow rate 120 kg/h
    - Adjustable safety thermostat
    - Stainless steel heating elements
  • 5- Testing tank
    - Borosilicate glass or 304 L stainless steel
    - Ø 300 mm
    - Capacity of the product: 5 L
    - Air distribution chamber on bellowed part
    - Air distributor
    - Easy opening
  • 6- Differential manometer
    - Measurement of the pressure losses between the inlet and the outlet of the fluidization tank
  • 7- Damming filter for particles
  • 8- Solid-gas separating cyclone
    - Borosilicate glass 9- Air compressor (option)
    - Without oil
    - Capacity 10 L
    - 48 L/ min at 7 bar (100 psi)
    - 270 W

  • Instruments
     - Measurement of the pressure in the tank – adjustable in height
    - Measurement of the temperatures and the air humidity at the inlet and outlet of the tank
    - Adjustment of the temperature at the outlet of the heating element as a function of its power
    - 4 measurements of relative humidity at the inlets and outlets of the heating element and the tank
    - PID regulator for the air heating
    - 1 PT 100 probe at the outlet of the heater
RUNNING PRINCIPLE
- After an expansion of the compressed air 1, the air is dried across a line cartridge 2 in order to improve future drying
- Then the air is directed into an air heater 4: the outlet temperature is adjusted and the inlet and outlet humidity are controlled
- The air comes (hot and dried) into the belt 5, it fluidizes the humid aluminum and dries it
- The head losses as well as the inlet and outlet humidity of the tank 5 are controlled
- The air leaves cooled and runs into a cyclone in order to return to the atmosphere, without dust
- With all the transducers of the circuit, a heat and mass balance can be done, the humid air diagram will be used, the efficiency of the drying chamber will be computed…