Systems and methods for reducing electrostatic charge in a fluidized bed

US7905433B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• New Jersey Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Robert Pfeffer · Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, DE
• Jose A. Quevedo · Brick, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 20, 2008
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2208/026
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Systems and methods for fluidization of particle and/or powder systems with reduced generation of static electricity are disclosed. The systems/methods are particularly advantageous for fluidization of nanoparticle and/or nanopowder systems, where the generation and/or presence of static electricity is a significant fluidization issue. The systems and methods generally involve the addition of an alcohol or other solvent to a fluidization gas to be introduced to the fluidization chamber, e.g., by bubbling the fluidization gas through a volume of solvent/alcohol, to advantageously reduce the build up of electrostatic charge. Systems and methods for capturing in-situ images within a fluidized bed are also provided that involve reducing the electrostatic charges generated within the fluidized bed and introducing a particle vision and measurement (PVM) probe to the fluidized bed for image capture.