NOVEL MODEL FOR ESTIMATING GAS-SOLID TWO-PHASE FLOW RATE IN A HORIZONTAL PIPE

Abstract

Dilute and dense conveying systems through pipelines are a common practice in our everyday life. It is used in many industries to convey a mixture of gas and solids from one location to another through pipes. Gas-solid transport is desirable in some industries but unwanted in others. Depending on the density, size, and shape, these solid particles may result in erosion and subsequent damage to piping and other equipment. Understanding the gas-solid two-phase flow dynamics can help develop efficient and cost-effective pipe transport systems, thereby mitigating the problems associated with the gas-solid two-phase flow. Models for estimating volumetric flow rates and other gas-solid two-phase flow properties are scarce as most are very complex, expensive, and unavailable proprietary commercial software. This study, therefore, developed a simple model using the general energy balance equation and relevant mixing theories for estimating the volumetric flow rate of natural gas-solid two-phase flow in horizontal pipes. The results from the model showed that the gas-solid flow rate is a function of pipe diameter, pressure drop, pipe length, solid volumetric concentration, solid-to-gas density ratio, and solid-to-gas friction factor ratio.