Abstract
The coexistence of granular liquid-like phase (cluster) and gas-like
phase (void) in fluidization, a spontaneous symmetry-breaking
dissipative state, contributes to excellent mixing behavior in
multi-phase reactors. In present study, a universal granular state
equation to describe phase coexistence far from critical point is
developed, where both the inelastic solid-collision and asymmetrical
instability is taken into consideration. Catastrophe theory is applied
to find the stable boundary of phase coexistence, and verified by
cold-flow experiment with different solid pressure. A phase diagram,
based on both theoretical analysis and experimental study, is given as a
useful guideline of design and operation of efficient multi-phase
reactors.