Similarity in dense gas–solid fluidized bed, influence of the distributor and the air-plenum

Similitude parameters that govern the dynamics of dense gas-fluidized beds in possible interaction with the air-supply system (distributor and plenum) are found by nondimensionalizing both differential equations that rule the bed dynamics and the coupling with the upstream fluid inlet conditions. In addition to classical dimensionless groups, two new parameters θp and θd are evidenced. It is shown that their match, along with the other numbers, is required to ensure dynamic similarity for scaled systems. Their influence on the bed dynamics is also investigated and we propose (θp,θd) maps that illustrate the existence of a coupling zone with an associated frequency modification.