(70bs) Agitation and Mixing in Vibrated Beds

Flow patterns and power requirements for agitation in a vibrated bed have been studied for a variety of granular materials and Froude Numbers (Fr=ù2A/g). Additionally the effect of the bed diameter, depth and position of the impeller is reported. The flow characteristics are found to be related to whether the material is in: 1) a granular friction flow region, 2) a fluidized region and 3) a intermediate transition region between granular friction and fluidized flow. The potential applications to high shear granulation are presented.