FLUIDISED BED HEAT TRANSFER

AIM: - To determine the heat transfer co-efficient for water media under the
influence of fluidization bed.
THEORY: - Fluidized bed is a state of a bed of particles in which the particles
are kept suspended in a flowing fluid. The operation of converting a stationary
bed of particles into a fluidized bed is called fluidization. The fluidization starts
when the drag force exerted on the particles by the fluid is equal to their weight.
The velocity of the fluid at which the fluidization starts is minimum fluidization
velocity. If the velocity of the fluid is increased beyond that of minimum
fluidsation velocity, the bed expands, its density decreases and its volume
increases. The expansion ratio which is the ratio of bed height (L) to the height
at minimum fluidization (Lmf), describes state of fluidization of the bed.
In a fluidized bed, there is a very well mixing and large contact area between
the fluidized bed at a different temperature to itself will experience a rate of heat
transfer many times greater than would be experienced between the body and
the fluid alone.
DESCRIPTION: In this equipment a bed of chosen plastic beads is contained
in a vertical acrylic cylinder. Water from a pump is delivered through a valve.
An electrical heater is used to heat the water flow.
INSTRUMENTATION: - In order to measure the heat power input through the
heater, a wattmeter is provided. The water flow rate is measured by means of a
rotameter. A U tube manometer is fitted across orifice plate to measure
pressure drop across the bed. Three thermo couples are provided to measure
temperatures at different points along hot water passage.

PROCEDURE:
1. Measure the initial bed height, diameter of the particle & inner diameter
of the column.
2. Switch ON the mains
3. Note down the initial manometer reading for column pressure & column
discharge.
4. Keep 8-way temperature channel selector to position 1.
5. FLUIDISATION PUMP ON: Bypass valve V2 must be full open.
6. Valve V4 & drainage valve V3 should be in closed position.
7. Slightly close the bypass valve V2 & crack open valve V4 such that the
fluidization starts. Note down the fluidized bed height.
8. See that V1 is full open.
9. Switch ON the heat transfer pump & heater.
10.Adjust the valve V1 & control the flow of water to heater by using
Rotameter valve (RV). Mean while operate the toggle switch to WATER
MEDIA & note down the wattage (Downward).
11.After noting down the readings, slowly close valve V2 such a way that
fluidized bed height should change.
12.In a particular position, fluidization height WILL NOT change even the
valve V2 closed fully. Stop operating at this stage.
13.Repeat the experiment in reverse order till the bed height comes to
original position & note down the corresponding readings.
14.Switch OFF the wattmeter toggle (Middle position).
15.Switch OFF the heater.
16.Switch OFF the fluidization pump by keeping the valve V2 fully
open (FP).
17.After, say about 5 10 minutes, switch OFF heat transfer pump (HP).
18.Switch OFF the mains.
2

CALCULATIONS: (1) The heat transfer coefficient Water media.

q
h = -------------- W/m2 C
AH.T
Where q = Heat input to heater (Wattmeter reading)
AH = Surface area of Heater = DHLH

m2

DH = Diameter of heater wall in m

LH = Length of heater wall in m
T = Temperature difference between heater wall and bulk air temperature inC.
T = (Ts Tm) C

Formulae for Water:

Heater wall =

Bulk air Temp.=

T6 + T7
Ts = -----------2

{T7 (T1+T2+T3)/3}
Tm = --------------------------2

M w x w
(2) Superficial Velocity, UOW= ----------------- m/min

Tmb

x AbW

Where ,
QW
MW = ------------60 x 1000

m3/S

AbW = Cross sectional area of bed = -----d2bW

4
db = Diameter of copper tube = 0.01 m

m2

w = Density of water
Tmb = Density of water at Tmb, the mean temperature across packed bed
Tmb =

T1 + T2 + T3
----------------3

Sample calculation (Only for guidance):

Initial bed height= 90 mm
Bed
heigh
t in
mm

Water
to
heater,
QW in
lpm

Pr.
Dro
p
in
cm

Pow
er in
kW

100

0.3

2587

150

0.3

2587

200

0.3

0.9

2587

250

0.3

0.5

2587

T T T T T T T T
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 3 3 2 2 5 4 2
8 6 4 9 9 9 4 9
3 3 3 3 3 6 4 3
8 6 3 3 0 1 4 0
4 3 3 3 3 6 4 3
0 7 4 3 1 2 6 0
3 3 3 3 3 6 4 3
8 5 4 4 3 0 4 1

TS=(T6+T
7)/2

Tm={T7(T1+T2+T3)
/3}/2

51.5

52.5

4.17

54

4.5

52

4.17

T=TSTm
47.5
48.333
33
49.5
47.833
33

Area
of
Densi Superfic
bed,
ty at
ial
AbW
Tmb
Tmb
velocity
7.85E994.4 0.06405
05
36
22
155
7.85E- 35.6 994.2 0.064063
05
7
41
21
7.85E994.7 0.064028
05
37
84
24
7.85E- 35.6 994.2 0.064063
05
7
41
21

H
t
c
e
,

Sample calculation:
T6 + T7
59 + 44
Ts = ------------- = ------------- = 51.50C
2
2

1. Heater wall =

{T7 (T1+T2+T3)/3}
T7 Tmb
T m = ----------------------------- =---------------2
2
44 - 36
=------------ = 40C
2

2. Bulk air Temp.=

M w x w
3. Superficial Velocity, UOW= -----------------

Tmb

x AbW

QW x w
= -----------------------------

60 x 1000 x Tmb x AbW

0.3 x 1000
=-----------------------------------------------60 x 1000 x 994.422 x 7.85 x10-5
= 0.064 m/S
Where,
QW
MW = ------------60 x 1000

m3/S

3.14
2
AbW = Cross sectional area of bed = -----d bW = --------- x0.012 = 7.85 x10-5 m2
4
4
Diameter of Copper tube, db = 0.01 m

4. Heat transfer co-efficient,

q
2587
h = --------------= ----------------------------------- = 301.12 W/m2 C
AH.T
3.14 x 0.16 x 0.36 x 47.5
Where,
AH = DHLH = 3.14 x 0.16 x 0.36
DH = Diameter of heater wall = 0.16 m
LH = Length of heater wall = 0.36 m