Preliminary experiments with spouted beds of binary mixtures of particles have shown that segregation according to size or density clearly occurs, with heavier particles going to the upper inside part of the annulus. Segregation tendency becomes less pronounced with increasing gas flow rate. During continuous operation, the concentration of coarse particles in the discharge stream was found to be initially lower than in the feed but it increased within a short time (10–50 min) to the feed concentration. However, the proportion of coarse particles in the bed solids (x) always remained higher than in the solids leaving the bed (y). A state of equilibrium was found to exist between these two concentrations, described by the following equation: y = xn The exponent n turned out to be a function of gas velocity and particle size of the individual components of the mixture, but, not of their proportions, nor of feed rate. An empirical correlation for n is proposed.

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The hinge design of a new bileaflet valve (Bicarbon) is presented in relation to the long-term durability characteristics. Theoretical considerations supported by experimental findings, lead to the identification of two different wear mechanisms acting in bileaflet valves, i.e. impact and friction wear. Impact wear, caused by the collision between the hinge stops and inflow surface of the leaflet pivots, is the predominant phenomenon; it is mostly influenced by the design of the coupling elements. The wear due friction is significantly less important, given a proper kinematic coupling and a thorough washout. These different mechanisms can significantly affect the wear resistance and long-term reliability of bileaflet valves; therefore, they have been properly taken into account in designing the new valve model. The safety of the overall material and design solutions adopted in the Bicarbon valve has been confirmed by extensive accelerated durability tests resulting in no mechanical failure or loss of functionality.