Determination of Optimum Particle Size for Economical Hydrotransport

Abstract

In the present work the generalized mathematical model (SK model) developed by Shrivastava and Kar [1, 2] has been utilized to determine the optimum size of the solid particles (sand, coal, pvc- granules, and lead shot), which offers the minimum frictional resistance to flow and results into the minimum head loss when transported through horizontal pipes under the conditions identical to those achieved by the investigators [3- 6] in their experiments. On the basis of the present investigation it has been observed that for the transport of solid through horizontal pipe at constant throughput the head loss does not depend directly on the size of the particles rather it depends on the values of the critical velocity (fluid velocity at which the head loss is minimum in the characteristic curve) calculated for solids of different sizes. Whereas for the transport of solid particles at constant volumetric concentration the head loss depends directly on the size of the particle and it is minimum for the largest size of the particle. Thus, it is possible to determine the optimum size of the particles for economical hydrotransport through horizontal pipe at constant throughput from the energy consumption point of view by utilizing the expressions of SK model.