(103a) Interaction of Granular Bubbles and Droplets in Gas-Bubble-Free Fluidized Beds

Recent studies have found that assemblies of granular particles lighter than others in a gas-bubble-free fluidized bed tend to rise as a unit or “bubble”, while assemblies of denser particles or “droplets” tend to undergo binary splitting events as they descend. Here, we use computational fluid dynamics – discrete element method (CFD-DEM) simulations to investigate the dynamics of granular bubbles and droplets in which the particles are strongly adhered together, so that they rise or descend as a rigid body. We study the effects of particle size and density ratios on dynamics, as well as the interaction of multiple bubbles or droplets rising or descending together.