Conveying characteristics of shrimp feed pellets in pneumatic conveying system and minimum power consumption dissipation factor

Abstract

Based on the CFD-DEM coupling method, this paper explores the dilute phase pneumatic conveying characteristics of shrimp feed particles. Furthermore, an experimental platform is established to verify the accuracy of the model. The simulated pipeline structure consists of a long horizontal pipe with horizontal bends and long vertical pipe with vertical bends. The results demonstrate a non-linear relationship between the pressure drop of the vertical pipeline and the inlet wind speed. Initially, the pressure drop decreases as the inlet wind speed increases, but it eventually starts to increase. When the inlet wind speed is not less than 18 m/s, the pressure drop of the horizontal pipeline increases with an accelerated inlet wind speed. The optimal inlet wind speed for adult shrimp farming is 24 m/s, while that for juvenile shrimp farming is 21 m/s. A correlation between system energy consumption and solid-gas ratio has been constructed. The ideal solid-gas ratio for adult shrimp farming is 3.69, while that for juvenile shrimp farming is 1.9–2.75. The solid-gas ratio and particle distribution at the inlet section of the straight pipe have a significant impact on the pressure drop characteristics. Their variation with the conveying wind speed directly influences the pressure drop patterns observed in the initial section of the straight pipe. This paper’s findings offer valuable scientific and practical insights for the dilute phase pneumatic conveying of shrimp feed particles, providing guidance for effective and efficient processes in this domain.