Fluidization apparatus

Apparatus for carrying out fluidized operations comprising an elongate generally upstanding housing, said housing defining an upper chamber, an intermediate chamber and a lower chamber, said upper and lower chambers each including agitating means therein, said agitating means including rotatable agitator blades mounted in each of said upper and lower chambers, a plurality of open ended tubes positioned in said intermediate chamber, the open ends of each of said tubes communicating the interior of said tubes with the upper and lower chambers, respectively, inlet means to supply a fluidizable material to either of said upper or lower chamber, said intermediate chamber comprising jacket means surrounding the tubes to effect heat exchange therewith, outlet means to remove fluidizable material from the other of said upper or lower chamber and means to supply a fluidizing gas to the lower chamber whereby the fluidizing gas passes upwardly through the lower chamber, through each of the tubes and into the upper chamber while fluidizing the material therein, and outlet means in said upper chamber for removing said fluidizing gas.