In order to investigate the suspension behaviour of solid particles in bubble columns without and with draft tube, minimum gas velocities for generating and maintaining complete solid suspension were determined. Experiments were carried out in a bubble column with a diameter of 200 mm and a height of 2 500 mm. The bubble column could be equipped with a draft tube with a diameter of 120 mm and a length of 1500 mm. The state of suspension was determined by measuring the hydrostatic pressure as a result of suspended solid particles with an inductive pressure gauge.Solid content E~, solid density es, particle size d,,, particle shape, particle size distribution, and solid wettability were varied. Furthermore measurements of integral gas holdup were carried out.