Measurement of flow parameters in a bubbling fluidized bed using electrostatic sensor arrays

Fluidized beds are widely applied in a range of industrial processes. In order to maintain the efficient operation of a fluidized bed, the flow parameters in the bed should be monitored continuously. In this paper, electrostatic sensor arrays are used to measure the flow parameters in the dense and transit regions of a bubbling fluidized bed. Each electrostatic sensor array has three electrodes and can provide more information and more reliable results than the conventional two-electrode sensor. By correlating the signals from multiple electrodes, particle velocities and corresponding correlation coefficients are obtained. Based on the correlation results and the amplitudes of the electrostatic signals, the solids movement and charge distribution in the dense and transit regions of the bed are monitored.