Numerical and analytical investigation of ice slurry isothermal flow through horizontal bends

Abstract

Ice slurry, which is a solid–liquid phase change fluid, is attracting wide attention when determining the use of secondary refrigerants in practice. To best represent the performance of ice slurry, it is important to accurately characterize ice slurry flow through pipes and fittings. However, the characteristics of ice slurry flow, especially in fittings, are still far from being fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated the behavior of ice slurry flow through horizontal bends to provide a greater understanding of the physics. The concentration, velocity and pressure fields were solved using the Eulerian–Eulerian model based on the kinetic theory of granular flow. Of particular interest was the modeling and prediction of the turbulence that develops in ice slurry that flows through pipes and bends. The predictions using different turbulence models were compared with the analytical models for predicting ice slurry flow through bends. It was found that the ice slurry flow varied through the cross-section of a bend due to the development of secondary flows. Better predictions were achieved using the Eulerian–Eulerian model coupled with the k−ε per-phase turbulence model. Recommendations were made to control ice particle agglomeration and reduce flow resistance in bends.