Particle dynamics analysis in bend in a horizontal-vertical pneumatic conveying system with oscillatory flow

Abstract

The pneumatic system is frequently operated in the high air velocity region, which aggravates the power consumption and erosion of bend, and the intensive study of the particles motion characteristic on a horizontal-vertical pneumatic conveying in various curved 90° bends is necessary. This experimental study focuses on the particles motion characteristic of bend on the horizontal-vertical pneumatic conveying with oscillatory flow (generated by installing the oscillator) in terms of on pressure drop, powder consumption, the evolution of particle velocity and particle fluctuating intensity during flowing through bends. The results indicate that powder consumption can be reduced by using oscillatory flow, which is more obvious with a larger radius ratios bend. Meanwhile, the pressure drop proportion of bend is higher than average pressure drop of the system within the same distance. Otherwise, the total reduction particles velocity through bend is less while using oscillatory flow, which is more obvious using larger radius ratios bend. The particle velocity using oscillatory flow is higher than that of the conventional pneumatic conveying for the cases of larger radius ratios bend, and this effect is less evident while through a smaller radius bend.