Fluid-Dynamic Study of Deformable Materials in Spouted-Bed Dryer

The present work is concerned with a fluid-dynamic study in spouted beds using deformable dice pieces of red guava. Data are presented on structural variations of the bed due to changes of regime during drying. Variation of physical properties (size and density) results from the volumetric shrinkage of these materials. Alterations in the fluid-dynamic stability of the spouted bed were correlated with Archimedes number. Along the process, the transition from fixed bed to fluidization can be observed, followed by stable spout and slugging. Mapping of the different regimes as a function of the moisture content is also presented.