Experiments on densely-loaded non-Newtonian slurries in laminar and turbulent pipe flows: Quarterly technical progress report No. 4

Technical Report · Thu Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5982354

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 will be taken 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. A benchmark pressure-drop experiment with a glycerine and water mixture (a Newtonian fluid) was completed in the pipe slurry facility for pipe Reynolds numbers between 100 and 3500. The pipe friction factor for Hagen-Poiseuille flow was in agreement with theory within experimental error. The transition Reynolds number based upon pipe diameter was 2000, which agrees with the value on the Moody diagram. Preliminary benchmark velocity profile measurements also have been completed in the flow loop. 19 refs., 19 figs., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG22-86PC90962
• OSTI ID: 5982354
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/90962-T4; ON: DE88000719
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
DISPERSIONS
DOPPLER EFFECT
FLUID FLOW
FUEL SLURRIES
FUELS
LAMINAR FLOW
LASERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MIXTURES
PARTICLE SIZE
PIPES
PRESSURE DROP
REYNOLDS NUMBER
RHEOLOGY
SHEAR PROPERTIES
SIZE
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
TEST FACILITIES
TURBULENT FLOW
VELOCIMETERS