Our test unit consisted of a bed unit 12 inches long, 6 inches deep and up to 4 ft high.  Air was pumped in from a combination of three vacuum cleaner blowers, and controlled by venting any excess air.  Two hair-dryers were mounted in the air plenum to control temperature. A slanted bottom to the bed had a variety of air entrance designs during the tests.  Vertical baffles were tested at a variety of locations.  We had the capability to control the vertical position of the baffles, and to inject air through controllable nozzles. We also initially had the ability to “pulse” the air rate using spring loaded bellows.

Although we started out with the “pulse-fluidization” concept, we found this unnecessary once the inlet nozzle and baffle positions were located properly.