Fluidization:

Fluidization is a process similar to liquefaction whereby a granular material is

converted from a static solid-like state to a dynamic fluid-like state.
This process occurs when a fluid (liquid or gas) is passed up through the
granular material. The gas flow is sent through the bottom of a bed of solid
particles and will move towards through the bed via the empty spaces
between the particles. Aerodynamic drag on each particle is also low during
low gas velocities and the bed stay behind in a fixed state. Once the velocity
increases the aerodynamic drag forces will begin to thwart the gravitational
forces sourcing the bed to extend in volume as the particles pass from one
another.
When fluidized, a bed of solid particles will behave as a fluid, like a liquid or
gas. Like water in a bucket: the bed will conform to the volume of the
chamber, its surface remaining perpendicular to gravity; objects with a lower
density than the bed density will float on its surface, bobbing up and down if
pushed downwards, while objects with a higher density sink to the bottom of
the bed. The fluidic behavior allows the particles to be transported like a
fluid, channeled through pipes, not requiring mechanical transport
(e.g. conveyor belt).
A simplified every-day-life example of a gas-solid fluidized bed would be a
hot-air popcorn popper. The popcorn kernels, all being fairly uniform in size
and shape, are suspended in the hot air rising from the bottom chamber.
Because of the intense mixing of the particles, akin to that of a boiling liquid,
this allows for a uniform temperature of the kernels throughout the chamber,
minimizing the amount of burnt popcorn. After popping, the now larger
popcorn particles encounter increased aerodynamic drag which pushes them
out of the chamber and into a bowl.

Types of Fluidization:
1)Bubbling Fluidization:
This type of fluidization has been called aggregative fluidization and under
these conditions the bed appears to be divided into two phases, the bubble
phase and the emulsion phase.

The bubbles appear to be very similar to gas bubbles formed in a liquid and
they behave in a similar manner. The bubbles coalesce as they rise through
the bed.
The bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) is the best technology for combustion of a
wide range of biomass and alternative fuels for steam and power generation.
The high heat capacity of the fluidized bed evens out the fluctuations caused
by fuel quality variation and effectively maintains combustion.

2)Homogenous Fluidization(Minimum):
In homogenous or particulate fluidization the bed behaves in a uniform
manner, as the flow rate is increased the bed height increases, hence
increasing fluid flow simply expands the bed, the pressure drop remains
constant, and equal to the bed weight per unit area, until particles are
elutriated out by the fluid flow.

3)Turbulent Fluidization:
When the superficial gas velocity increases to values much above minimum
fluidization velocity, there is a transition from bubbling fluidization to what is
called turbulent fluidization or fast fluidization.
Most commercial gas-solids fluidized bed catalytic reactors operate in the
turbulent fluidization regime. The flow behaviour of turbulent fluidized beds
is nevertheless unclear, although this fluidization regime has recently been
well defined.

4) Fast Fluidized Bed:

Fast Fluidization occurs as a result of continuing increasing in operating
velocity beyond that required at turbulent fluidization, a critical velocity,
commonly called the transport velocity will be reached where a significant
size of particle starts to fluidized.
It has significant industrial applications because of its efficiency, operational
flexibility and overall profitability.