2.2 Experimental Implementation and Analysis Methodology
39
2.2.3 Gas Distribution
For a quasi-2D cell with a large ratio of width over thickness, gas maldistribution
has shown significant influences on flow behaviour in the earlier work [11]. The
injected airflow is required to be distributed homogeneously over the cross-sectional
area of the inlet boundary. The supplied airflow initially passes through a splitter and
is divided into three sub-streams before entering the plenum chamber, as shown in
Fig. 2.1. Complex shape fillers in the plenum chamber further alter the flow paths and
create turbulence to facilitate the distribution. To avoid possible gas leaking from the
edges of the distributor and to ensure a uniform gas distribution, the plenum chamber
and planar cell are sealed carefully using 24 bolts outside the distributor.
2.2.4 Particle Properties
The experiments are conducted with Geldart group B type particles. Quasimonodisperse, spherical soda-lime glass beads are fluidised under ambient conditions. These glass beads were previously sieved to attain a relatively narrow size
distribution and checked using microscopes. Figure 2.3 shows that the glass beads
used are visually spherical, with a circularity generally greater than 0.92. Table 2.2
lists the particle properties.
Fig. 2.3 Optical microscope image of the experimental glass beads
39
2.2.3 Gas Distribution
For a quasi-2D cell with a large ratio of width over thickness, gas maldistribution
has shown significant influences on flow behaviour in the earlier work [11]. The
injected airflow is required to be distributed homogeneously over the cross-sectional
area of the inlet boundary. The supplied airflow initially passes through a splitter and
is divided into three sub-streams before entering the plenum chamber, as shown in
Fig. 2.1. Complex shape fillers in the plenum chamber further alter the flow paths and
create turbulence to facilitate the distribution. To avoid possible gas leaking from the
edges of the distributor and to ensure a uniform gas distribution, the plenum chamber
and planar cell are sealed carefully using 24 bolts outside the distributor.
2.2.4 Particle Properties
The experiments are conducted with Geldart group B type particles. Quasimonodisperse, spherical soda-lime glass beads are fluidised under ambient conditions. These glass beads were previously sieved to attain a relatively narrow size
distribution and checked using microscopes. Figure 2.3 shows that the glass beads
used are visually spherical, with a circularity generally greater than 0.92. Table 2.2
lists the particle properties.
Fig. 2.3 Optical microscope image of the experimental glass beads