The column is filled with solids up to a required height and
the bed is brought into fully swirled condition. Then fluid flow
is gradually brought to zero. This operation is carried out three
times. The flow is then gradually increased such that fountains of
solids are formed near all the fluid inlets. By adjusting the valves in
each of the lines connected to fluid inlets the fountain heights are
brought to equal; as a result it has been assumed that the fluid rates
into the inlets are equal. The total flow rate is gradually brought
to zero. The static bed height is measured. The total flow rate is
then gradually increased to conduct the experiment. Observations
are noted for bed pressure drop at various fluid flow rates till the
bed is transformed into an expanded swirled state. Later, the same
observations are noted by gradually decreasing the flow to zero.