Rotating fluidized beds in a static geometry are based on the new concept of injecting the fluidization gas tangentially in the fluidization
chamber, via multiple gas inlet slots in its cylindrical outer wall. The tangential injection of the fluidization gas fluidizes the particles tangentially
and induces a rotating motion, generating a centrifugal field. Radial fluidization of the particle bed is created by introducing a radially inwards
motion of the fluidization gas, towards a centrally positioned chimney. Correctly balancing the centrifugal force and the radial gas–solid drag force
requires an optimization of the fluidization chamber design for each given type of particles. Solids feeding and removal can be continuous, via one
of the end plates of the fluidization chamber.
The fluidization behavior of both large diameter, low density polymer particles and small diameter, higher density salt particles is investigated
at different solids loadings in a 24 cm diameter, 13.5 cm long non-optimized fluidization chamber. Scale-up to a 36 cm diameter fluidization
chamber is illustrated.
Provided that the solids loading is sufficiently high, a stable rotating fluidized bed in a static geometry is obtained. This requires to minimize
the solids losses via the chimney. With the polymer particles, a dense and uniform bed is observed, whereas with the salt particles a less dense and
less uniform bubbling bed is observed. Solids losses via the chimney are much more pronounced with the salt than with the polymer particles.
Slugging and channeling occur at too low solids loadings. The hydrostatic gas phase pressure profiles along the outer cylindrical wall of the
fluidization chamber are a good indicator of the particle bed uniformity and of channeling and slugging. The fluidization gas flow rate has only a
minor effect on the occurrence of channeling and slugging, the solids loading in the fluidization chamber being the determining factor for
obtaining a stable and uniform rotating fluidized bed in a static geometry.