An Improved Method for Predicting Pressure Drop along Slurry Pipeline

Based on extensive analysis of experimental data, the Kaushal and Tomita (2002) model for composite and solids concentration profiles is modified by considering the effect of particle size and efflux concentration on particle diffusivity. Using a modified model, the ratio of the homogeneously and heterogeneously distributed portion of each particle size is calculated. Pressure drop is predicted by summing the pressure drops due to homogeneously and heterogeneously distributed portions of different particle sizes. Comparison with experimental data for pressure drop shows that the proposed model gives better predictions than the models available in literature. The root-mean-square differences between predicted and measured values of pressure drop in percentage of the mean of measured values are for Wasp the et al. (1977) model: 5.0-21.8%; for the Gillies et al. (1991) model: 6.0-9.2%; for the Kaushal and Tomita (2002) model: 1.7-3.5%; and for the proposed model: 1.6-2.0%.