Article,
Electrostatic measurements on a miniaturized fluidized bed
Journal of Electrostatics, 57 (1): 91--106 (January 2003)
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3886(02)00121-3
Abstract
In the pharmaceutical industry fluidization is often used in drying,
coating and granulation processes. During fluidization powder particles
contact other particles as well as the walls of the vessel and this
leads to generation of electric charges. These charges may result
in sparks, dust explosions, fires, reduced process efficiency and
particle accumulation on the walls. However, the mechanism of the
charging is not well understood. In this paper, an inductive method
for charge generation measurement is presented. The system consists
of an electrostatic ring probe, which allows charge scanning across
the miniaturized fluidized bed without disturbing the fluidization
process. The charge coupling from the system to the probe has been
modelled and the experimental data have been simulated using an advanced
field solving software. Experiments on lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline
cellulose and glass beads have been performed and these results are
presented.
