Pressure drop across the distributor in fluidized beds with regular and irregular distributor design

The characteristics of the distributor pressure drop in a fluidized bed corresponding to perforate distributor plates with regular and irregular distributor design were studied. Distributor pressure drops were measured in an empty bed and beds with different fluidizing particles or bed heights. The design variables tested included the open area ratio, hole size, hole lay-out, plate thickness and design irregularity. The characteristics of distributor pressure drop corresponding to abnormal operating conditions, i.e., hole blocking and channeling, were also examined. The results indicate that the open area ratio is the most critical parameter governing the plate pressure drop for a regular distributor and that the design irregularity has a strong effect on the distributor behavior when particles are present. The study has given rise to criterion for uniform distribution across the distributor holes.