Module 9: Packed beds
  Lecture 33: Minimum fluidization velocity
 
 

At the minimum fluidization condition:

Apply Ergun's equation for ‘fixed–bed' at minimum fluidization condition or at the incipience of fluidization:
, where superficial average velocity at minimum fluidization state

Equate:

The above-equation is quadratic on (minimum fluidization velocity) and may be written in the following form:

, where

For small particles

For large particles