Gas-Solid Fluidization In Mini- and Micro-Channels

Miniaturization of chemical reactors provides unique operational characteristics and applications counter to the regular and large reactor systems. Some studies have been reported on the gas-solid fluidization in channels with an inner diameter of several centimeters. With further decrease in the fluidized bed size, the wall effects on gas-solid fluidization properties would significantly enhance. Little is known on gas-solid fluidization conducted in mini- and micro-channels with an inner diameter of several hundred microns to several millimeters. In this study, a number of mini- and micro-channels and a visualization system are developed for the investigation of the wall effects on the gas-solid fluidization properties including bed expansion and regime transition velocities in these mini- and micro-channels. These properties are analyzed and discussed in the context of correlation equations reported from large fluidized beds.