Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Horizontal Turbulent Particle-Liquid Pipe Flow

A Eulerian-Eulerian CFD approach is used in conjunction with appropriate auxiliary models for turbulence and solid dynamic properties to study the complex turbulent flow of particle-liquid suspensions in a horizontal pipe. Numerical simulations of the detailed flow field are fully and successfully validated using a unique experimental technique of positron emission particle tracking. The study includes nearly-neutrally buoyant as well as dense particles, ranging from small to large at low to high concentrations, conveyed by a Newtonian liquid. Results are analysed in terms of radial particle and liquid velocity profiles as well as particle distribution in the pipe. The approach provides predictions with a high degree of accuracy. Particle behaviour can be classified into three categories depending on their size and particle-liquid density ratio. An analysis of the forces governing the two-phase flow is used to interpret the phenomena observed.