In a process for removing SO₂ from flue gas, gas at 410°C and 1.2 atm is passed upward through a fluidized bed containing 1.5-mm spherical particles of Al₂O₃ impregnated with copper. The particle density is 2,300 kg/m³ and bed porosity is 0.40 before fluidization. The original packed bed height of 2.00 m is expanded to a fluidized height of approximately 3.4 m.

(a) Predict the minimum fluidization velocity.
(b) Predict the pressure drop during fluidization.