Abstract The attrition behavior of CaO-based adsorbent particles was systematically studied in a laboratory-scale fluidized device. Five operational and design parameters were investigated in terms of attrition. Fine powder production, attrition rate and particle size statistics were experimentally analyzed to explore the attrition characteristics of the particles. The results revealed that longer time aggravated the breakage, and larger particles possessed the better attrition resistance. Higher gas velocity promoted the attrition rate. Larger orifice number and orifice diameter reduced the degree of attrition. Linear fitting was used to analyze the relation between the mass of fine powder and other parameters. A mathematical model- R = 0.67 × 10 9 ⋅ D − 0.848 ⋅ U 3.136 ⋅ n or − 0.950 ⋅ d or − 1.196 was established on the basis of experimental results to combine the effects of the various parameters. The model could be used to describe, simulate and predict the fluidized attrition phenomenon of particles.