A hydrodynamic study of coal extrudates in fiber-water suspensions
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This research is focused on the development and utilization of a system capable of obtaining hydrodynamic data for coal extrudates flowing in tandem through water and water-fiber suspensions. Coal-logs can carry more coal than slurry pipelines and fibers can reduce the frictional losses. A horizontal closed loop system was constructed of galvanized tubing (2.25 in. nominal diameter). Instrumentation included a sonic flowmeter, a laser and photocell, pressure sensors, and electro-mikes. Data were retrieved and analyzed with a microcomputer. A jet pump supplied by a centrifugal pump propelled the coal-logs, water and fiber. Pressure drop along a straight section of pipe, and degree of lift-off were measured. At flow rates between 2 and 9 fps the effects of coal-log to pipe diameter ratio (D /D = .628, .691, .839) were investigated in water and 0.25, 1.0 and 1.5 weight percent wood pulp suspensions. The water-pulp mixtures are suspending media and should support moving capsules such that abrasion andhead losses will be reduced. As anticipated, the pulp suspensions themselves (no capsules) reduced the drag losses relative to water by over 10% at certain flow rates for fiber concentrations at and above 1.0%. All the capsule (coal-log) water head losses were found to be between 10 and 40 percent greater than those of water at their optimum velocities (velocities corresponding to the smallest head losses). The addition of fibers to water increased the head losses of capsules. This increase in head loss is caused by the tendency of fibers to accumulate above the coal-logs and hold them down against the pipe floor. This unexpected effect can be due to either a flaw in the pumping system diffuser or the narrow gap between the coal-log and pipe. This effect would probably not occur in larger pipe systems.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License.