Dense-phase fluidized beds convective heat transfer coefficient

A unique feature of the dense-phase fluidized bed is the existence of a maximum convective heat transfer coefficient /zmax when the radiative heat transfer is negligible. This feature is distinct for fluidized beds with small particles. For beds with coarse particles, the heat transfer coefficient is relatively insensitive to the gas flow rate once the maximum value is reached. 

Development of a mechanistic model is essential to quantification of the heat transfer phenomena in a fluidized system. Most models that are originally developed for dense-phase fluidized systems are also applicable to other fluidization systems. Figure 12.2 provides basic heat transfer characteristics in dense-phase fluidization systems that must be taken into account by a mechanistic model. The figure shows the variation of heat transfer coefficient with the gas velocity. It is seen that at a low gas velocity where the bed is in a fixed bed state, the heat transfer coefficient is low with increasing gas velocity, it increases sharply to a maximum value and then decreases. This increasing and decreasing behavior is a result of interplay between the particle convective and gas convective heat transfer which can be explained by mechanistic models given in 12.2.2, 12.2.3, and 12.2.4. 

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