Flow Through Particle Layers

Flow through Particle Layers  Technical Description  Flow through particle layers is widely encountered in process engineering. In reactors, packed and fluidised beds are subjected to through-flow by liquids and gases. The separation of solids from suspensions by cake and depth filtration is another area of application. With the fluid mechanic principles involved in flow through packed beds and fluidised beds can be investigated. For the purpose, a fillable test tank made of glass is provided, through which water can be made to flow from both ends. A sintered-metal plate serves as the base for bulk solids.   Water from the laboratory water connection flows into the test tank. To investigate flow through packed beds, the water enters the test tank from the top. It flows through the packed bed and the sintered-metal plate and passes by way of a distributor to the outlet. The experimentation set-up can be modified by means of quick-release hose couplings. This also enables the flow through the test tank to be reversed and fluidised beds to be investigated. The water flows upwards through the porous sintered-metal plate and the packed bed. If the velocity of the water is less than the so-called fluidisation velocity, the flow merely passes through the packed bed. At higher velocities a fluidised bed is formed. The water flows from the head of the test tank into an expansion tank. From there it flows into the outlet.   Regardless of the specific set-up, the flow rate is adjusted by a valve and indicated by a flow meter. To determine the pressure loss via the packed bed or fluidised bed, two manometers with differing measuring ranges are provided. The desired manometer is selected by way of valves.