Economic particulate transport performance analysis of k-epsilon models in highly concentrated slurry through pipelines

Abstract

The paper analyzed the economic transporting performance of k-epsilon turbulence models using the Eulerian two-fluid approach in transporting highly concentrated fine particulate slurry through horizontal pipelines using Kaushal et al. (2005) experimental data of glass beads slurry of 125 μm mean diameter for volumetric concentration ranging 30%–52% and flow velocity ranging 2–5 m/s. The primary components of economical slurry transport are Specific Energy consumption (SEC) and pressure drop; both have been examined in the performance of different κ-ϵ models and are yet to be unlighted on these parameters. The CFD model found the excellent performance of all k-epsilon models with slightly more effectiveness in the case of the Realizable κ-ϵ model. The analyzed and validated CFD model was subsequently used in examining the parameters of slurry flow, such as the secondary phase velocity, concentration distribution, and SEC analysis for the range of fine particles 125, 150, and 212 µm. The plotted contours from CFD are useful in visualizing slurry flow parameters at intermediates inlet values for slurry inlet flow velocity ranging 2–6 m/s and inlet volumetric concentration ranging 30%–55% for fine particles. Analysis revealed that the highly concentrated fine particles slurry transported at optimum volumetric concentration range of 40–45% are economical slurry transport.