An experimental study of energy-saving pneumatic conveying system in a horizontal pipeline with dune model

In order to reduce power consumption and conveying velocity, a pneumatic conveying system where a dune model is mounted in a pipeline is proposed in this paper. The experimental study focuses on the effect of the mounted dune model in the horizontal pneumatic conveying system in terms of pressure drop, power consumption and conveying velocity. The test pipeline consisted of a horizontal smooth acrylic tube with an inside diameter of 80 mm and a length of about 5 m. Polyethylene spherical particles with a density of 952 kg/m³ and diameters of 2.3 and 3.3 mm are used as conveying materials. The mean air velocity is varied from 9 to 16 m/s, and the solid mass flow rate is from 0.25 to 0.45 kg/s. Firstly, the effect of the dune model location on pneumatic conveying is experimentally studied. It is found that in the lower air velocity range, the pressure drop of the pneumatic conveying with a mounted dune model is lower than that of a conventional pneumatic conveying system. A lower conveying velocity and energy-saving conveying can be realized by installing a dune model in the conveying pipe. Especially the case of fixing the dune model on the bottom of the pipe at the inlet of particle feed is more effective. The particle flow patterns also show that the dune model reduces the deposition of particles. Then, the effect of different surface materials of the dune model is examined. By using a surface material of the dune model with a large coefficient of restitution, the pressure drop of conveying large particles is the lowest. When conveying relatively small particles, however, the pressure drop becomes the lowest by a small coefficient of restitution. The maximum reduction rates of the minimum velocity and power consumption by the dune model are about 19% and 34%, respectively.     

Vertical pneumatic conveying of particle plugs

Dense-phase pneumatic conveying of solids offers many advantages over dilute-phase conveying. The lower air velocities, and, consequently, lower particle velocities, result in lower pipe wear and lower particle attrition. This paper describes an experimental program that has been undertaken to study the flow pattern of cohesionless solids in vertical transport and to measure the parameters influencing the pressure drop required to move a single plug of solids. Highspeed photographic techniques have been used to observe the flow pattern of polyethylene particles (diameter ? 3 mm) in the vertical riser section of a circulating unit constructed from pipes with an internal diameter of 50.8 mm. The flow pattern resembles that of square-nosed slugging in a fluidized bed. The solids move up as “plugs” of bulk solids that occupy the entire cross-section of the pipe. Particles are seen to “rain” down from the back of one plug and then to be collected by the front of the next plug. Collecting these particles causes a stress on the plug front which is transmitted by powder mechanics forces axially through the plug and radially to the wall. The pressure drop required to move a single plug of cohesionless solids through the transport pipeline was measured as a function of the plug length, particle properties, pipe diameter, and the frontal stress. The results of these experiments are compared with a theoretical model.     

A case of drag reduction and pressure pulsations in pneumatic conveying

Experimental pressure drop results have been obtained for dilute phase pneumatic conveying of ordinary portland cement in a 100 mm diam. horizontal pipe with a test section length of 18 m.Significant drag reduction was detected in the presence of pressure pulsations introduced into the flow by a Roots type blower. Suppression of the pressure pulsations eliminated drag reduction.Compared with steady flow condition, it was found that pressure pulsations had a stabilising influence on the flow, permitting a 32% higher solids feed rate to be obtained before the formation of a stationary bed and the onset of unstable flow.Drag reduction in the test section was obtained at the expense of an increased pressure drop in the mixing and solids acceleration zones.     

工业级水平管粉煤气力输送的最小压降速度和稳定性

采用压缩空气作为输送介质,在工业级水平管(内径50 mm)上开展了粉煤密相气力输送实验研究。在实验获得最小压降速度基础上,通过电容层析成像系统观察到,随着表观气速降低而存在分层流、沙丘流、移动床流以及栓塞流4种流型。不同流型压力信号的概率密度分布和功率谱密度分析表明,压力信号的波动特征与流型紧密联系;由于流动形态的变化,存在由稳定输送过渡到不稳定输送的临界气速,且该速度小于最小压降速度。     

垂直稀相气力输送压降特征实验

对Geldart–D类颗粒在高度为18 m、内径为0.05 m的垂直管道中的稀相气力输送特征进行了实验,结果表明：Klinzing, Mathur, Yang和 Caric等提出的预测关联式可以准确预测fs值,135°上弯头、135°下弯头和45°斜管的压力梯度与垂直管道中的压力梯度之比分别为1.6, 2.0和4.0.     

Flow characteristics and pressure drop across the Laval nozzle in dense phase pneumatic conveying of the pulverized coal

Experimental studies were performed to describe the physical phenomena occurring in dense phase pneumatic conveying of the pulverize coal with a Laval nozzle installed in the pipeline. The maximal coal mass flow rate decreased from 0.87 kg/s to 0.35 kg/s and an obvious decrease in the solids loading ratio was revealed after the Laval nozzle was installed. In addition, the Laval nozzle showed a better capacity of resisting disturbance, which made it easier to control the coal mass flow rate precisely and promoted the stable conveying process. These specific physical phenomena were proved to result from the high pressure drop of the Laval nozzle. Thereby, a mathematic model was developed to predict the two-phase pressure drop across the Laval nozzle. The pressure drop model described the experimental data within the 15% deviation. The main influence factors contributing to the pressure drop of the Laval nozzle were discussed using the model. Then the effects of gas mass flow rate, solids loading ratio, convergence angle, throat diameter and throat length were revealed.     

Prediction of pressure drop with steady state pneumatic conveying of solids in horizontal pipes

Current relationships for determination of the pressure drop with pneumatic conveying of solids in pipes are not of general validity. The theoretical considerations underlying these relationships do not take into account the influence of the rotatory motion of the particles. On the other hand, extremely high rotatory speeds of the particles due to wall collision are observed.Therefore a new concept is presented which takes into account the rotatory motion of the particles. A further aim was to represent the data in the form of nondimensional groups which allow meaningful, physical interpretation of the results obtained.A state diagram for the prediction of pressure drop with pneumatic conveying in the form of sliding particles strands is described.Calculation of power loss per particle and of the force and the moment acting on a particle leads to a nondimensional representation of pressure drop in which a normalized pressure drop is combined with a particle Froude number and a Froude number which contains the particle fall velocity and the pipe diameter. This combination of nondimensional groups defines fully suspended flow.The normalized pressure drop is defined in such a way that it represents the nondimensional slip of the particles, too.Comparison with pressure drop measurements for pneumatic transport in horizontal pipes which included changes in particle size, particles density and pipe diameter confirms the physical significance of the parameters used with regard to the prediction of pressure drop and of particles slip velocity.A simple procedure for the prediction of pressure drop in the full range of steady-state pneumatic conveying is proposed.     

Influence of the Entrance Configuration on the Performance of a Non-Mechanical Solid Feeding Device for a Pneumatic Dryer

The solids feeder is an important component of a dryer, since it is responsible for introducing the moist material at controlled, specified rates. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of solids feeding configuration on the fluid dynamic behavior of a 53-mm-diameter vertical pneumatic conveyor with a loop of 180°, aiming at further applications in drying granular materials. A non-mechanical solid feeding system constituted by a hopper connected to an inclined pipe was applied to feed type D particles in the conveying line. This simple feeding apparatus was modified through the insertion of different flow restriction devices at the air inlet, namely a reduction nozzle and a Venturi device. This was aimed at studying how the solids flow rates and the fluid dynamics of the whole conveying line are affected by the entrance configuration and inlet devices. The use of inlet devices combined with the non-mechanical inclined valve affected significantly the performance of the valve when operating with type D particles in a pneumatic conveying line. When using inlet devices, an increase in the conveyed solid flow rates at a given air velocity was observed. The reduction nozzle yielded a range of solids loading ratios similar to that of the inclined valve with no inlet device, and introduced some pressure instabilities at the entrance region. The Venturi device allowed operation at a wider range of solids loading ratios and no pressure instability was detected in the conveying line. For the conditions investigated, neither the gas velocity nor the loading ratio affected the extent of entrance length. The inlet devices may be successfully applied to modify and improve the performance of the inclined valve as a solids feeder in pneumatic dryers.     

Fluidized bed ash cooler used in a circulating fluidized bed boiler: An experimental study and application

The performance of a fluidized bed ash cooler was studied using a cold experiment bench. The air flow rate, particle size of the solids and air distributor type are considered to be the key parameters of the operation of a fluidized bed ash cooler (FBAC). It was found that the amount of fluidizing air directly affects the conveying of ash and that they have a quadratic relationship. An acceptable particle size distribution for the solids is d₅₀ < 450 μm. Furthermore, the experiment reveals that the height of the weir in the FBAC does not affect the conveying of the ash flow. The influence of injected air on the transportation of ash is not significant. Optimal air nozzle dimensions are presented.     

Neue großtechnische Anwendungen des Reaktionsprinzips der zirkulierenden Wirbelschicht

New industrial applications of the circulating fluidized bed. Strongly expanding fluidized beds in the boundary region between fluidized bed and pneumatic conveying, which can achieve a steady state only by recirculation of the solids are of considerable importance for environmental protection because of the high gas flow rates and the high relative velocities possible between gas and solids in performing reactions between gases and fines with an average particle diameter less than 300 μm. Lurgi has utilized the principle of the circulating fluidized bed industrially both in the high temperature regime for the non-pollutive production of process heat from low-grade coal in a plant of 84 MW thermal rating and in the low temperature regime for adsorptive, dry purification of fluorine-containing waste gases from aluminium electrolysis and for dry removal of pollutants from garbage-burning power plants. This paper reports on the new process.     

Development of novel two-interconnected fluidized bed system

Two-interconnected fluidized bed systems are widely used in various processes such as Fisher-Tropsch, hot gas desulfurization, CO₂ capture-regeneration with dry sorbent, chemical-looping combustion, sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming, chemical-looping hydrogen generation system, and so on. However, conventional two-interconnected fluidized bed systems are very complex, large, and difficult to operate because most of these systems require a riser and/or pneumatic transport line for solid conveying and loopseals or seal-pots for gas sealing, recirculation of solids to the riser, and maintaining of pressure balance. To solve these problems, a novel two-interconnected fluidized bed system has been developed. This system has two bubbling beds, solid injection nozzles, solid conveying lines, and downcomers. In this study, the effects of operating variables on solid circulation rate and gas leakage between two beds have been investigated in a cold mode two-interconnected fluidized bed system. The solid circulation rate increased as the hole diameter on the injection nozzle, the diameter of the injection nozzle, the solid height above the holes, and the number of holes on the injection nozzle increased. The gas leakage between the beds was negligible. Moreover, long-term operation of continuous solid circulation up to 60 hours was performed to check the feasibility of stable operation. The pressure drop profiles in the system loop were maintained steadily and solid circulation was smooth and stable.     

高固气比状态下的粉煤气力输送

在自建的气力输送系统上,进行了高固气比状态下粉煤气力输送研究.分别在内径为15、20、32 mm的管道中进行了输送实验,考察了操作参数对粉煤质量流量、固气比、表观气速等气力输送特征参数的影响.结果表明,输送固气比达到200～580 kg&#8226;kg^-1;随气体流量增加,粉煤的质量流量增大,而固气比降低;与输送压力的影响相比,管径对粉煤质量流量的影响程度更为显著;给出了基于本系统描述各参数之间相互关系的经验方程,表明较小的气量和较大的输送管径更有利于实现高固气比状态下的粉煤气力输送.     

Die Grundlagen der pneumatischen Förderung

Principles of pneumatic conveying . The design of pneumatic conveying systems is critically dependent upon a knowledge of the pressure drop and the minimum necessary velocity of the conveying gas. Starting from the areas of application of pneumatic conveying systems, the conveying states occurring are discussed and appropriately assigned to the diagram of state. The pressure loss equation is reported for conveying in form of a fully suspended flow and strand-type conveying and the theoretically predicted pressure losses are compared with experimental values for the conveying of coarse and finegrained materials. After mentioning the calculation of the pressure drops due to acceleration and to pipe bends, the article discusses the problem of pipe enlargement for long conveying distances. Equations are also given for the calculation of the so-called blocking limit and of the conveying gas velocity at which the minimum pressure drop occurs. The influence of the compressor on the choice of the operating point is also discussed. New calculation equations are then given for horizontal and vertical conveying in form of a fully suspended flow conveying and for horizontal strandtype conveying which permit reliable scale-up. Moreover, a new equation is reported for the blocking limit in horizontal conveying.     

Pressure drop prediction for horizontal dense-phase pneumatic conveying of pulverized coal associated with feeding to gasifier

Based on extensive bench-scale data derived from the horizontal dense-phase pneumatic conveying of pulverized coal, a correlation of solids friction factor λ_z was proposed in an effort to establish a model to predict the pressure drop when coal fed to the gasifier. Further, it was also an attempt to modify some public models to verify their availabilities. Then, based on the data collected from an industrial-scale horizontal pipeline under the high pressure up to 2.0 MPa, the proposed model was found to be possibly among the best ones for predicting the pressure drops of the dense flow of pulverized coal. The modified Mallick and Wypych model can also provide satisfying predictions. The results suggest that the two models are both suitable for scale-up of dense-phase pneumatic conveying of pulverized coal at high pressures.     

Flow regime determination in horizontal pneumatic transport of fine powders using non-intrusive acoustic probes

A variety of flow regimes may be observed in dilute phase pneumatic transport of fine powders. As the gas flow rate is reduced or the solids flow rate increased, particles may settle on the bottom of the horizontal sections, forming either a stagnant layer or slowly moving dunes. This change in flow regime leads to such problems as flow instabilities and very long residence times for some particles. Maintaining a consistent operation and product quality requires rapid detection of any change in flow regime. In many applications, particularly in pharmaceutical processes, the installation of intrusive sensors is undesirable. The objective of this study was to develop reliable flow regime detection through the on-line analysis of signals from non-invasive acoustic sensors.Non-intrusive microphones were used to record acoustic emissions generated by powder flow through a horizontal, 0.1 m diameter, stainless steel, pneumatic transport pipe, at various solids fluxes and superficial gas velocities. Measurements were recorded simultaneously on the top and the bottom of the pipe, to record the flow of solids as they hit and are reflected from the pipe walls. To confirm the flow regimes, high speed video imaging in a section of clear acrylic pipe allowed for detailed analysis of the flow structure. Two flow regimes were observed: dilute phase flow and conveying over settled solids. Cycle or frequency analysis of the acoustic measurements recorded from the top or the bottom of the pipe provides reliable, on-line detection of these flow regimes.     

Axial pressure profile in circulating fluidized beds

Design and operation of a circulating fluidized bed requires the knowledge of fluid mechanics. According to heat and mass transfer as well as chemical reactions, the effect of the set superficial gas velocity on the axial pressure profile is of particular interest. The axial pressure profile was measured for a variety of solids, as a function of the superficial gas velocity, in a cylindrical circulating fluidized bed with an inner diameter of 0.19 m and an overall height of 11.5 m. Depending on the solids content and superficial gas velocity, two or one sections can be observed in the plant where the pressure gradient is constant. A pressure profile with one pressure gradient exists only at high gas velocities, so long as the acceleration pressure drop immediately above the gas distributor is negligible. Comparison of measured pressure drops in circulating fluidized beds with those measured in vertical pneumatic conveying led to a state diagram for vertical gas-solid flows. The operation behaviour of different types of circulating fluidized bed plants can be explained with the aid of this diagram.     

宁东灵武矿区煤粉密相输送管道压降研究

采用Barth气力输送理论,通过实验在质量流率1 550—1 700 kg/h的输送范围内,研究了宁东灵武矿区煤粉密相输送的压降和表观气速的关系。结果表明:随着表观气速的增加,水平管道和竖直管道的压降都是先降低后升高,但竖直段的压降变化速度比水平段变化快,水平段的经济气速(4 m/s)小于竖直段的经济气速(7 m/s)。通过计算值与实验值比较,发现理论计算值与实验值偏差在30%以内,说明基于Barth附加压降法对宁东灵武矿区煤粉密相气力输送管阻力特性的计算具有较好的适应性。     

煤粉高压密相气力输送稳定性分析

在自主研发的密相气力输送实验装置上,以N₂作输送载气,以3种不同粒径的褐煤作输送物料进行输送实验,运用域重标分析方法对水平管差压信号和料罐质量脉动序列进行了Hurst指数分析,并采用统计学方法对料罐质量脉动序列进行了标准差分析,从管内流动和料罐出料出发,对整体输送稳定性进行了探讨。结果表明：水平管差压信号Hurst指数H_dp能较好地表征管内流动稳定性,而料罐质量脉动Hurst指数H_ma则需结合标准差分析才能更好地表征料罐出料稳定性。以表观气速与跃移速度比值K为特征参数进行探讨,在K=1.5左侧,随着K值减小,H_dp减小,管内流型发生转变,甚至可能发生堵管,管内流动稳定性变差,料罐质量脉动标准差增大,出料稳定性变差,整体输送稳定性变差;在K=1.5右侧,随着K值增大,H_dp减小趋势不明显,管内流动稳定性虽有变差的趋势,但不会发生堵管,而结合对料罐质量脉动序列的标准差分析,发现出料稳定性变差,甚至可能出现出料中断的情况,整体输送稳定性变差。     

Effect of mechanical properties of powder on pneumatic conveying in inclined pipe

Pneumatic conveying of fine powder has merits, such as no dust pollution and wide flexibility of pipeline layout. Thus, pneumatic conveying is widely used in industry. However, there is no information about the relation between the pressure drop for pneumatic conveying of fine powder and the mechanical properties of powder.We explained that the pressure drop of pneumatic conveying of powder in a horizontal pipe could be estimated from the dynamic friction coefficient of the powder in the previous paper. However, the relation between the pressure drop of pneumatic conveying in an inclined pipe and the mechanical properties of the powder is not cleared yet.The effect of mechanical properties and the angle of an inclined pipe on the pressure drop for pneumatic conveying of fine powder was examined and compared with the calculated results by our model. Based on these results, it is cleared that the pressure drop for pneumatic conveying of fine powder can be estimated from the dynamic friction coefficient of the powder and the inclined angle of the pipe.     

Application of high-speed PIV and image processing to measuring particle velocity and concentration in a horizontal pneumatic conveying with dune model

The purpose of this study focuses on analyzing the particle velocity and concentration characteristics in a horizontal pneumatic conveying with dune model, so as to reveal the mechanism of the low conveying velocity and saving-energy conveying. The test pipeline consisted of a horizontal smooth acrylic tube with an inside diameter of 80 mm and a length of about 5 m. The polyethylene particles of density 978 kg/m³ and 952 kg/m³ with diameters of 2.3 and 3.3 mm are used as conveying materials. High-speed PIV was first applied to measure the time-averaged particle velocity and was proven to be an efficient measurement technique in the pneumatic conveying. Then the particle velocity and concentration distributions of three locations were measured at mean air velocities of 12 m/s and 13 m/s and the solid mass flow rates of 0.45 kg/s and 0.43 kg/s. A comparison of the particle velocity and concentration profiles between dune model and non-dune model was performed. It is found that the particle concentration of using dune model becomes higher in the upper part of pipeline and becomes lower near the bottom of pipeline in the acceleration region. The particle velocities of using dune model are clearly higher than that of the conventional pneumatic conveying along pipeline and display a uniform profile at the downstream. It is also clear that the particles can be effectively accelerated by increasing air velocity and impacting the surface of dune model. The effect of dune model on the velocity profile of relatively small particles is larger than that of the larger particles and maintains to the downstream.