Experiments on densely-loaded non-Newtonian slurries in laminar and turbulent pipe flows: Quarterly technical progress report No. 5

Technical Report · Tue Feb 23 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5494238

Park, J T; Mannheimer, R J; Grimley, T A; Morrow, T B

An experimental description of the flow structure of non-Newtonian slurries in the laminar, transitional, and full turbulent pipe flow regimes is the primary objective of this research. Measurements include rheological characterization of the fluid and local fluid velocity measurements with a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV). Optical access to the flow is gained through a test section and model slurry which are both transparent. The model slurry is formulated from silica gel particles and hydrocarbon liquid mixture whose indices of refraction are matched so that light is not scattered from the particles. Experiments are being conducted in a large-scale pipe slurry flow facility with an inside pipe diameter of 51 mm (2 inches). Detailed flow measurements including turbulence quantities such as Reynolds stress were measured with a two-component two-color LDV. The present research indicates that non-Newtonian slurries are possible with concentrations of a few percent by weight of small particles whose sizes are one micron or less. A non-Newtonian slurry from small particles could maintain large particles (100 micron size) at high concentrations in suspension almost indefinitely. Such a slurry would prevent particle fallout and its associated problems. Velocity profiles were acquired by the LDV in the laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow regimes. The velocity profile for laminar flow was in agreement with theory. The range of the transition region was 21% of the transition velocity in comparison to 50% for a Newtonian fluid. 22 refs., 26 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG22-86PC90962
• OSTI ID: 5494238
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/90962-T5; ON: DE88006209
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
013000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FLUID FLOW
FRICTION FACTOR
FUEL SLURRIES
FUELS
GAS FLOW
HYDRAULIC TRANSPORT
LAMINAR FLOW
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MIXTURES
PIPES
PRESSURE DROP
PROGRESS REPORT
RHEOLOGY
SIZE
SLIP FLOW
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
TEST FACILITIES
TRANSITION FLOW
TRANSPORT
TURBULENT FLOW
VELOCIMETERS
VELOCITY