(366m) Development of 3D Printed Desktop Learning Module for Learning Packed and Fluidized Bed Concepts

In previous years, our team worked on developing Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules (LCDLMs) to create an interactive learning environment to enhance undergraduate STEM education. This year our team will be working on designing a desktop version of the fluidized bed using the 3D-printing methodology. The newly designed fluidized bed will be used to display phenomena to aid in conceptual understanding of packed bed and fluidized bed theory. The viscous loss term of the Ergun equation may be used to explain the relationship between pressure drop through the length of the bed as a function of such parameters as particle size, fluid velocity, length of the bed, fluid viscosity and density, and void space. Initially, the system will begin at a certain height as a packed bed with pressure drop increasing as superficial velocity increases. When the minimum fluidization point is reached, particles in the bed will expand upwards uniformly at a constant pressure drop across the bed. As superficial velocity increases further, the particles will again form a stationary packed bed, this time at the top of the column, where it is expected that the kinetic loss term of the Ergun equation will provide a significant contribution to the pressure drop. Glass beads are going to be used as packing material with water as the fluid medium. Classroom worksheets and pre- and post-tests are being developed to support the use of the fluidized bed in the classroom and assessment of conceptual gains that accompany this use.