Turbulent slurry flow measurement using ultrasonic Doppler method in rectangular pipe

V Bareš,J Krupička,J Brabec,V Matoušek,T Picek,Tomáš Vít,Petr Novotný,Petra Dančová

doi:10.1051/epjconf/20146702004

V Bareš, J Krupička + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20146702004

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Abstract

Distribution of velocity and Reynolds stress was measured using ultrasonic velocimetry in flows of water and Newtonian water-ballotini slurries in a pressurized Plexiglas pipe. Profiles of the measured parameters were sensed in the vertical plane at the centreline of a rectangular cross section of the pipe. Reference measurements in clear water produced expected symmetrical velocity profiles the shape of which was affected by secondary currents developed in the rectangular pipe. Slurry-flow experiments provided information on an effect of the concentration of solid grains on the internal structure of the flow. Strong attenuation of velocity fluctuations caused by a presence of grains was identified. The attenuation increased with the increasing local concentration of the grains.

Highlights

IntroductionFlow of slurry (i.e. mixture of water and solid grains at high concentration) occurs in many industrial applications and environmental processes
Flow of slurry occurs in many industrial applications and environmental processes
Measurements of turbulent flows of clear water were carried out first. They delivered a vertical distribution of velocity components and turbulence characteristics in water flows

Summary

Introduction

Flow of slurry (i.e. mixture of water and solid grains at high concentration) occurs in many industrial applications and environmental processes. The high volumetric concentration of grains in flowing slurry makes measurements of distribution of solids velocity and concentration a complex task and disqualifies techniques as Laser Doppler anemometry or Particle Image Velocimetry. The principal limitation of optical methods as used to date is that they can operate exclusively in clear fluids which allow photographic or video images to be recorded. This precludes its use on opaque materials such as slurries

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