Due to the lack of reliable mathematical models for predicting the minimum spouting velocity in spouted bed dryers, in this work a new model is proposed that takes into account the effects of adhesive forces acting on particle agglomerates due to the presence of pastes. The results are compared with experimental data reported by Spitzner and Freire (2001), obtained by the continuous feeding of egg paste into a spouted bed, and with additional data obtained for batch feeding of glycerol into the same bed. The equipment was a conical spouted bed with a 0.05 m inlet diameter, a 60° cone angle, and a 0.21 m cone height. Glass spheres with a diameter of 2.6x10-3 m were used as inert particles. It was observed that as saturation increases, the minimum spouting velocity increases for egg paste and decreases for glycerol. The results indicate that there are different forces acting on the bed of particles depending on the paste and operating conditions. The mathematical model provided good predictions only for egg paste, although the values for minimum spouting velocity were slightly overestimated.

Spouted bed is an equipment reasonable investigated for drying of many and different materials ranging from granules to pastes and suspensions. This work presents an implementation and tests of an advanced control strategy (GPC) on a spouted bed dryer. Water was used as the ideal paste for tests. A microcomputer PC-486 type was used to maintain humidity and temperature set points of air in the dryer by manipulating electric power of heat exchanger and paste feed flow rate. An instrumentation was set-up with different sensors, interface and final control elements for the process. The tests were carried out with pure water as ideal paste. Stability and performance analysis of the control strategy were accomplished. A stable controller was obtained which encouraged us to investigate this control strategy in the drying of other pastes too.

A draft tube spouted bed was constructed with a screw conveyor attached at its base to feed particles into the column. Results on fluid dynamic characteristics and particle movement in this system are presented and discussed. Two methods of measuring the superficial air velocity in the annular region are compared. The particle velocity and recirculation rates have been determined in a half column with transparent walls. The effects of the particle feed rate, air flow rate and bed height on the spouted bed dynamics have been analysed and compared with those in the literature. Keywords: Spouted bed, continuous feed, dynamics