Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
This paper presents experimental studies on the optimization of two-phase fluid flow in an airlift pump. Airlift pumps, also known as mammoth pumps, are devices applied for vertical transport of liquids with the use of gas. Their operating principle involves the existence of a density gradient. This paper reports the results of experimental studies into the hydrodynamic effects of the airlift pump. The studies involved optical imaging of two-phase gas-liquid flow in a riser pipe. The visualization was performed with high-speed visualization techniques. The studies used a transparent model of airlift pump with a rectangular cross-section of the riser. The assessment of the airlift pump operation is based on the image grey-level analysis to provide the identification of two-phase flow regimes. The scope of the study also involved the determination of void fraction and pressure drops. The tests were carried out in a channel with dimensions 35 × 20 × 2045 mm with the gas flux range 0.2–15.0 m3/h. For the assessment of the two-phase flow pattern Probability Density Function (PDF) was applied. On the basis of the obtained results, a new method for selecting the optimum operating regime of airlift pump was derived. This method provides the finding of stability and efficiency of liquid transport. It can also be applied to determine the correlation between the total lifting efficiency and the required gas flux for proper operation of the airlift pump.
Highlights
An airlift pump in comparison to other equipment used for liquid transportation doesn’t have moving parts
A very extensive and detailed review of the literature in the field of airlift pumps is presented in [1], where the authors discuss the theory of operations, numerical and experimental methods possible to apply in the airlift pumping research
The captured relations between the grey level recorded by the imaging system and the registered flow regime led to the assessment of two-phase flow patterns
Summary
An airlift pump in comparison to other equipment used for liquid transportation doesn’t have moving parts This represents an advantage in applications where there is a need for reliability, simplicity and compact design. A very extensive and detailed review of the literature in the field of airlift pumps is presented in [1], where the authors discuss the theory of operations, numerical and experimental methods possible to apply in the airlift pumping research. They indicate the most common areas of application of airlift pumps. The authors in [6] propose the application of four types of the nozzle (point, star, ring, double-ring) for artificial upwelling systems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
