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Experiments on densely-loaded non-Newtonian slurries in laminar and turbulent pipe flows: Quarterly technical progress report No. 3

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6185449

An experimental evaluation of the structure of non-Newtonian slurries in laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow regimes in pipes is the primary objective of this research. Experiments are being conducted in a large-scale pipe slurry flow facility with an inside pipe diameter of 51 mm (2 inches). Data from rheological experiments will be correlated with pipe flow measurements. Detailed flow measurements including turbulence quantities such as Reynolds stress will be taken with a two-component laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV) in a transparent test section with a transparent model slurry. During the past quarter, a benchmark experiment with mean-velocity and pressure-drop measurements was completed in the slurry loop with a glycerine and water mixture for the laminar and transitional flow regimes. The pipe friction factor from Hagen-Poiseuille theory was reproduced within experimental error for laminar flow conditions. The transition Reynolds number was 2000. The slurry loop was recently disassembled for corrosion treatment. Some parts are being replaced with PVC plastic parts, and the remainder of the carbon-steel components have been sand-blasted and epoxy painted. After the loop is reassembled in mid-August 1987, LDV measurements and flow visualization will commence. 5 refs., 3 figs.

Research Organization:
Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-86PC90962
OSTI ID:
6185449
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/90962-T3; ON: DE87012691
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English