A consolidated flow regime map of upward gas fluidization

A new flow regime map, resulting from more fundamental studies on the hydrodynamics and new flow regimes, is proposed in response to more practical reclassifications of the existing regimes with the development of upward gas-solids fluidization systems. The previously reported flow regime maps and flow structures of some widely used fluidized beds are carefully examined. To better reflect the industrial applications, the fast fluidization regime is reclassified as high-density and low-density circulating fluidization regimes. A consolidated flow regime map is then proposed where the flow regimes of upward fluidization expand to include new types of fluidized beds such as circulating turbulent fluidized bed and high-density circulating fluidized bed. The proposed flow regime map consists of six flow regimes: bubbling, turbulent, circulating turbulent, high-density circulating and low-density circulating fluidization, and pneumatic transport. The transitions between the regimes are discussed with new correlations proposed for fluid catalytic cracking type particles. Analysis on the dominating phase in the different types of fluidized beds reveals the dynamic changeover from solids phase continuous in conventional low-velocity batch/“fixed” fluidization operations to gas phase continuous in high-velocity continuous/“moving” fluidization operations and provides more insights to the transitions between the flow regimes for industrial design and practice.