Development Of a Novel Rotating Fluidized Bed For Fine Particle Processing

A rotating fluidized bed (RFB) which imparts high centrifugal force to fluidizing  particles by horizontally rotating the vessel is a promising technology for fine particles processing. We have already reported that the RFB can be used for uniform fluidization of nano particles, micro granulation/ fine particle coating, synthesis of nano particles and etc. In this study, new devices such as a tapered rotating vessel and an inclined injection of fluidizing air have been developed for the better performance of the RFB. The experimental results confirmed that the tapered rotating vessel improved the particle recovery and the inclined injection greatly improved the particle mixing performance. A numerical analysis using a DEM (Discrete Element Method) and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) was also conducted to analyzed the mechanism how the tapered rotating vessel and the inclined injection improved the particle behaviors and performance. The optimum geometry of the devices was also determined by using the numerical analysis.