skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Fluidization mechanisms in slurry flow

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7172431· OSTI ID:7172431

There are two mechanisms by which heavy settling particles may be suspended in a horizontal slurry flow: (1) by particle-particle interactions (e.g. Bagnold dispersive stresses) and (2) by particle-fluid interactions (e.g. entrainment of the particles by turbulent eddies.) The purpose of this investigation is to determine to what extent each fluidization mechanism is active and the effect of the fluidization mechanism on the global properties of the slurry. The technique employs the understanding that the particles entrained in the turbulence of the fluid will appear as an increased hydrostatic head across the channel. This may be directly measured and can be related to the fraction of the mass of particles that are supported by fluid-particle forces. (The rest must therefore be supported by particle-particle forces.) 17 refs., 26 figs.

Research Organization:
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-86PC90957
OSTI ID:
7172431
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/90957-T8; ON: DE90006497
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English