Experimental studies on the spout characteristics of a visible pressurized cylindrical spout-fluid bed (I.D.=0.1 m) with pressure up to 0.4 MPa were carried out. Geldart group D particles of 1.6 and 2.3 mm were used as bed materials. Experimental data of minimum spouting velocity, axial pressure drop and fountain height were obtained. It was found that the minimum Spouting velocity increased with increasing initial bed height and particle diameter, while it decreased with increasing fluidizing gas velocity, which is independent of pressure. Elevation of pressure yielded a decrease in minimum spouting velocity. Similar to the spouted bed, the axial pressure drop in spout-fluid bed was found to be insensitive to the change of pressure. The fountain height increased as the spouting gas velocity increased; while it decreased with particle diameter, initial bed height and fluidizing gas velocity. An increase in pressure caused an increase in the fountain height. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.