Fluid Bed Types

Fluid bed processors may be configured for either continuous or batch operation.

There are two types of basic fluid bed designs according to the solids flow pattern in the dryer.

• The continuous back-mix flow design for feeds that require a degree of drying before fluidization is established.
• The plug flow design for feeds that are directly fluidizable on entering the fluid bed.

Transport of the solids through the fluid bed may be achieved either by the fluidization alone or a combination of fluidization and vibration.

The flow of gas relative to the solids is characterized either as cross flow in a single tier fluid bed or as cross/counter-current in a multi-tier fluid bed. More on fluid bed types.