Chemical Engineering & Technology, Vol.35, No.10, 1803-1809, 2012
Fluid Dynamics of Vibrofluidized Beds during the Transient Period of Water Evaporation and Drying of Solutions
The influence of vibration number Gamma, amplitude A, and frequency of vibration f on the fluid dynamic behavior of a vibrofluidized bed operating with inert particles in the transient period of water evaporation and drying of different solutions was evaluated. The solutions investigated were sewage sludge, skimmed milk, and calcium carbonate of three different solids contents. The impact of feed rate and vibration parameters on the dynamic behavior of variables such as pressure drop and inlet air velocity was determined. Based on the results it was verified that the operation at Gamma = 0.015?m improved the bed dynamics and the gas-particle contact in the wetted beds. As different dynamic behaviors may be obtained under the same G value, the values of A or f must be informed together with G for a complete characterization of vibration effects.