The hydrodynamic stability of a fluid-particle flow: instabilities in gas-fluidized beds

A simplified model of an industrially relevant fluid-particle flow system is analyzed using linear stability theory. Instabilities of the uniform state of a fluidized bed are investigated in response to small flow perturbations. Students are expected to perform each step of the computational analysis, and physical insight into key mechanistic features of instability development is provided using selected topics for discussion.

KEY WORDS: Linear stability analysis; Fluid-particle flow; Fluidization