Oil-Polluted Sands in a Fluidized Bed

Fluidization behavior of oil-contaminated sand

Hydrodynamic behavior of oil-polluted particles of sand was investigated in transparent glass column. The onset of fluidization of sand beds increased with the oil content of the bed. An increase of cohesive forces related to the higher content of liquid (oil) caused deterioration of the quality of fluidization. An empirical correlation was developed to predict the dimensionless gas velocity that keeps the bed of sticky particles fluidized. Results of this work can be employed for the design of fluidized-bed remediation units for oil-polluted sands and soils.