Elutriation of solid particles from a dense‐phase fluidized bed

The elutriation of fines from fluidized beds of two‐ and multiparticle systems is investigated. Materials used are glass beads and coal powder with air and helium as the elutriating gases. A specific elutriation rate constant which takes into consideration the particle stratification and thus is nearly independent of the bed dimensions is employed in the correlation of the elutriation of fines. The proposed generalized correlation applicable to a system of two particle sizes and to more complex ones is presented. Recorrelation of pertinent literature data by the dimensionless equation indicates good agreement in spite of a diversity of bed geometries. The effect of fluidized‐bed parameters on the rate of elutriation is examined, and applications and limitations of the correlation are shown.