Measurement of longitudinal distribution of solids holdup in a three-phase fluidized bed by ultrasonic technique

A method of measurement of solids holdup in a three-phase reactor by analyzing the shape and the phase lag or lead of an ultrasonic wave has been proposed. The solids holdup in a solids-dilute three-phase fluidized bed could be measured without being affected by the presence of gas bubbles. The experimental values of solids axial dispersivity measured by the ultrasonic technique are in reasonable agreement with an empirical correlation of previous data obtained by other methods. The possibility of the application of the ultrasonic technique to the measurement of solids holdup in a three-phase fluidized bed has been suggested.