Flow regimes in a turbulent bed contactor

Experiments were conducted in a turbulent bed contactor (TBC) with and without downcomer operating in Type I and Type II modes to obtain the flow regime maps. The variables include flow rate of the gas and liquid phases, size and density of the particles, bed height, free open area of the supporting grid, and diameter and weir height of the downcomer. Static, partially fluidized, completely fluidized, flooding and annular regimes are identified depending on geometric and operating conditions. The effect of these variables on flow maps is discussed and correlations are proposed for delineating the flow regimes.