Reducing transport resistance in highly concentrated fine-grained slurry pipelines by vibration-induced fluidization

Abstract

Reducing the resistance in slurry pipeline systems is a major concern in dredging projects because of its high energy consumption, which can reach up to 80% of the total energy consumed. In this study, a resistance reduction method (a vibratory resistance reducer) for highly concentrated fine-grained slurry pipeline transport based on vibration-induced fluidization was introduced. Further, the major factors influencing the resistance reduction were quantitatively explored through slurry pipeline transport tests. The experimental results show that the proposed method significantly reduces resistance in the slurry pipeline. The resistance loss reduction rate increases with the vibration frequency and an optimal vibration frequency exists for the resistance reduction. Moreover, vibration-induced fluidization results in a higher resistance reduction for a smaller transport capacity of the pipeline. For silt and fine sand, coarser slurry particles have smaller optimal vibration frequency, and higher resistance reduction rate of slurry pipeline transport under a certain vibration frequency. Finally, using the experimental data, an empirical formula for estimating the resistance loss reduction rate of slurry pipeline transport using a vibratory resistance reducer was proposed.