Electrostatic behavior of different fines added to a Faraday cup fluidized bed

Experiments were performed in a Faraday cup fluidization column to determine the changes in the electrostatic charges on various fine particles after their addition to gas–solid fluidized beds to better understand their role in influencing electrostatic charge generation/dissipation. The charges transported by different fines (Larostat 519 antistatic agent, glass beads (GB), silver-coated GB, catalyst and silica particles) were determined after their injection into an initially charged bed of much larger mono-sized particles (GB or polyethylene) for a range of relative humidities. Entrained fines carry significant charges out of the column, therefore leaving a net charge behind, with the polarity and quantity of charge depending on the size, physical properties and chemical structure of the particles, and on the moisture content of the fluidizing gas.