Continuous segregation of binary mixture of solids in liquid fluidised beds: influence of feed entry location

The effect of feed entry location on segregation of the binary mixture of solids in a continuous liquid fluidised bed has been investigated in the present study. Three different feed entry locations were selected and examined in a 72 mm ID and 3 m height continuous liquid fluidised bed. The binary feed mixture consists of different sized particles of same density with different compositions. The significant observations noticed at various feed entry locations on fluidisation behaviour are discussed. While feed entry location had a significant influence on purity and recovery of top and bottom products, it had no appreciable influence on pressure drop profile, entrainment and discharge rates of solids. The optimum liquid velocity and optimum purity/recovery were identified for every feed entry location for maximum separation of both the particles.