INTRODUCTION
The first experimental task was to check the feasibility of a fluidized lime bed suspended in a tall column. This is the simplest model that can be used as a lime feeder. The aim was to find the optimum upflow velocity that would mix the lime uniformly and keep it suspended without causing a great amount of lime to go out with the effluent. Upflow velocity can be calculated by dividing the flow rate by the cross sectional area of the column. Since the area is constant, upflow velocity is directly proportional to the flow rate. The equation of up flow velocity is shown below
The experimental set up can be seen in the figure below.
DESCRIPTION
This experiment consisted of measuring the upflow velocity with different flow rates and different quantities of lime, while always maintaining a suspended column of lime. This was an initial experiment and hence most of the quantities were taken through approximation. The details of the exact quantities of lime and flow rates as well as the results obtained can be found in the attached file called "ANC-Initial Experiment using Column".
ANC-Initial Experiment Spreadsheet
The optimum flow rate which could keep the lime suspended without excessive lime coming out (as observed visually) was found to be about 85ml/min.
The figure above shows the apparatus used for the first trial, it consists in a tube connected with a water source regulated by a pump. The lime was added manually at the top.Figure - 1. Apparatus for the first trial
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