HYDRODYNAMICS OF MAGNETOFLUIDIZED ADMIXTURE BEDS

Hydrodynamic behavior of a magnetofluidized bed is investigated over a wide range of magnetic-field intensity values as a function of superficial air velocity. The bed comprises of different proportions of copper and iron particles and is contained in a Plexiglas column of 0.102?m internal diameter. The uniform constant magnetic field is created by a Helmholtz electromagnet. In particular, the bed pressure drop is measured as a function of superficial air velocity and characteristic bed voidage and fluidizing velocities are determined at minimum fluidization and bubbling bed conditions. These characteristic properties of the magnetically stabilized fiuidized beds are reported as a function of magnetic-field intensity, and are correlated by suitable expressions. These will be useful for prediction purposes related to design and operation.