a process for the stabilization of a fluidized bed against bubble formation which process comprises a vessel , a plurality of permanently magnetized particles dispersed throughout the bed , and means for fluidizing said particles . the particles are designated as permanently magnetized by virtue of their possessing a coercivity of at least 50 oersteds . the permanently magnetized particles exert magnetic attractive forces upon one another , thereby imparting stability to the fluidized bed . in these beds , fluid throughput rates which are up to 10 or more times the flow rate of said fluid at incipient fluidization of the unmagnetized particles can be achieved with little or no bubbling and at bed pressure drops equal to bed weight .