Some applications of spouted beds have been limited by problems with spout stability. In order to overcome these limitations, research should be concentrated on describing the mechanism by which the spout is developed. This work presents a theoretical and experimental study to describe the effective solid stress distribution in the annular region of a conical spouted bed. From experimental observation, the failure state of the bed of particles at the outset of spouting is identified and related to fluid-particle properties and column dimensions. Linear and angular momentum balances for the solid phase are then formulated as a function of the bed failure state. The set of equations obtained is solved using numerical methods, and results regarding stress distribution, stability and spout shape are presented and discussed.
types of failure; solid stress distribution; pressure drop; spout shape
