Investigation on flow characteristics of ice slurry in horizontal 90° elbow pipe by a CFD-PBM coupled model

Abstract

Elbow pipes are important components for ice slurry pipeline transport. However, the flow characteristics of ice slurry in elbow are far from fully being understood, especially the influence of ice particle kinetics on ice particle size distribution (PSD). This study is intended to provide a better understanding of the behavior of ice slurry flow in elbow pipe. A CFD-PBM coupled model is employed to investigate the flow characteristics of ice slurry in horizontal 90° elbow pipe. The quadrature method of moments is utilized to solve the population balance equations. Based on the revised model, the flow characteristics of ice slurry in the horizontal 90° elbow pipe are investigated. The simulation results show that in the range of calculations, the pressure drop of elbow pipe is increased with the increase of velocity and ice packing fraction (IPF). An adverse pressure gradient is formed due to the change in flow direction. The emergence of secondary flow is caused by the centrifugal force. It makes the ice particles gather on the outer wall of the elbow section. The ice diameter increases along the flow direction due to the aggregation. The evolution of particle size distribution (PSD) is not significant. However, aggregation and stratification cannot be ignored in the process of long distance transport of ice slurry. The results are of significance for guiding the safety design and operation of ice slurry transportation.