A population model has been developed to simulate the size distribution of quartzite particles in a lab-scale fluidized bed. While quartzite particles as a kind of bed materials in the differential density circulating fluidized bed were loaded into the high temperature bed, the size distribution of quartzite particles would be changed due to the thermal fragmentation, which could significantly influence fluidization characteristics and heat transfer. With the purpose of comprehending the population of quartzite particles after thermal fragmentation, a fragmentation experiment of quartzite particles has been carried out in a lab-scale circulating fluidized bed. The results show that the fragmentation of particles mainly occurred on particles surface. Based on this experimental phenomenon, a mathematical population model was established to estimate the particle size distribution. The predicted value from the population model is close to the experimental value. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.