Axial and Radial Pressure Drops of Dense Phase Plugs

Abstract

An experimental technique to measure various characteristics of plug flow in dense phase pneumatic conveying systems based on the unique characteristics of plug flow, i.e., the fluctuation of axial pressure drop along a pipeline and pressure difference in the radial direction at the back of a plug, was developed by Li et al. (2002). Based on this work, a further experimental study combined with numerical modeling was carried out to describe the structure of plugs through the analysis of the measurements of pressure difference in both axial and radial directions. A theoretical explanation of these pressure differences was proposed and agrees very well with the recorded signals of pressure difference from differential transducers. This explanation will prove useful in understanding plug structures in industrial applications.

Computational Investigation of Horizontal Slug Flow in Pneumatic Conveying

“…This is believed to be the major factor responsible for the gas pressure fluctuations observed in Figure 5a. Note that the above two pressure characteristics have also been reported in the CFD-DEM studies of Li et al 14 and McGlinchey et al 45 These investigators have not used periodic boundary conditions, either for gas or solid phase, in their simulations. This is understandable because periodic boundary conditions can only improve computational efficiency.…”