Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Pumping Bulk Materials Using Vortex Chamber Ejectors

Abstract

Compressors of various types are used as blowers for pneumatic transport, and all of them, except jet-type devices, have low reliability and durability. Jet pneumatic conveying installations cannot completely use due to the very low efficiency of jet ejectors and the low efficiency of energy transfer to solid particles. On the other hand, vortex chamber superchargers have better characteristics of the granular medium in comparison with direct-flow jet ejectors. When implementing the working process without a drainage channel, the pressure at the device outlet decreases with an increase in the mixed flow rate. The characteristics of the vortex chamber ejector for pumping granular medium without a drainage channel have been determined. The mathematical model adequacy was carried out based on a comparison of the flow integral characteristics: mass flow rates and pressures in all channels for gas and mass flow rates of bulk material in the inlet and outlet channels. The ejector characteristics were studied based on solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations using the SST turbulence model. The flow rate of solid particles at the device outlet correlates with the diameter of the solid particles. The rational size of solid particles has been determined to ensure the maximum flow rate of the granular medium, which is ensured by the minimum residence time of the solid particle in the vortex chamber.