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Study of multiphase flow useful to understanding scaleup of coal liquefaction reactors. Technical progress report, December 1 1983-February 29, 1984

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5070755
Based on the results of this study a number of conclusions may be drawn about the effect of non-Newtonian liquids on two phase flow parameters: (1) Rheological properties can effect gas holdup in bubble columns. The way in which these properties affect gas holdup depends on the flow pattern the column is operating in. In the bubble flow pattern, gas holdup increases with viscosity at a particular gas velocity. In the bubble-slug or hetergeneous flow pattern, gas holdup generally decreases with viscosity. (2) Liquid velocity effects gas holdup in the bubble flow pattern. Increasing the liquid velocity reduces the gas holdup at any particular gas velocity. This effect is accentuated by increased viscosity. (3) The bubble to bubble-slug transition is dependent on viscosity. The gas velocity of the transition decreases with increasing gas viscosity. There is no effect of liquid velocity on this transition however in the range studied. (4) The effect of alcohol on two-phase flow parameters was extreme. Holdup in the bubble flow pattern was very high, often greater than 0.5 at peaks. The bubble to bubble-slug transition occurred at higher gas velocties than in aqueous CMC solutions. There also appeared to be competing effects between alcohol and CMC concentrations. 45 references, 14 figures and 1 table.
Research Organization:
Rhode Island Univ., Kingston (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-81PC40797
OSTI ID:
5070755
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/40797-T3; ON: DE84010039
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English