The Permeability and Fluidization Studies Apparatus (HydraNexis HNX 12) by SCIENTICO is a laboratory-scale experimental unit designed to study flow through packed beds, permeability, and liquid fluidization behavior of granular media. It is widely used in environmental engineering, water treatment, and chemical engineering laboratories for fundamental transport and filtration studies.
Product Overview
Permeability and fluidization are core concepts in water treatment processes such as filtration, backwashing, and granular media design. The HydraNexis HNX 12 enables controlled investigation of Darcy’s law, Kozeny’s equation, pressure drop behavior, and fluidized bed characteristics using a transparent, easily observable test section. The apparatus consists of a demountable transparent tube filled with a granular bed, typically sand, with the option to use alternative media such as Ballotini or anthracite. Water flow can be directed upward or downward through the bed, allowing both packed-bed and fluidized-bed studies. A constant head tank supplies water from a laboratory tap, ensuring stable hydraulic conditions and allowing air bubbles to escape before entering the test section. Flow rate is manually controlled using a needle valve and displayed on a variable area rotameter. Pressure drop across the granular bed is measured using either a water or mercury differential manometer, depending on the magnitude of the pressure loss. The transparent tubing and test section allow direct visualization of bed expansion, fluidization, and air bubble presence. The system operates without electrical power, making it portable, simple to install, and suitable for teaching environments.