Propulsion of slurry along a pipeline by ultrasonic sound

Abstract

Transmission of a slurry along a pipeline by ultrasonic sound waves introduced at an angle to the direction of flow of the slurry particles to intersect the moving particles with a forward and lifting component. Ultrasonic generators or transducers are placed along the bottom of a pipeline at preselected angles relative to the pipeline and flow of material therealong. The ultrasonic waves are in the nature of mechanical waves and may be of a given frequency for specific types of solids. The slurry for which this apparatus is particularly adapted is a slurry of coal particles in the range of approximately 30 to 70% solids by weight with a general spatial concentration of approximately 50%. The mechanical ultrasonic waves propagating in the slurry, which is an elastic body, lift the particles by the angular components of the waves and propel the particles along the pipeline by the horizontal components of the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducers are of known forms and are mounted along the pipeline in predetermined spaced relation with respect to each other and open to the pipeline to propel the particles at an average optimum velocity and elevate the particles above the bottom of the pipeline to prevent settling of the particles in the bottom of the pipeline.