A spouted bed containing non-spherical particles was investigated numerically using the non-spherical discrete hard-sphere method, and experimentally using particle image velocimetry. The experimental and simulated particle velocity distributions were in agreement. Different operating conditions were used to investigate the instability of the spouted bed. Certain conditions created an S-shaped gas channel in the center of the bed, which proved the instability of non-spherical particles. The motion of micro-scale particles and bubbles was studied to determine their potential relationship with instability. It was found that the granular temperature distribution of the particles and bubbles was associated with the gas channel region. The behaviors of bubbles differed from those of particles. These results contribute to an understanding of instability mechanisms in spouted beds. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.