Particle Transport Coefficient (PTC) and Phase-Efficiency Diagram: A New Perspective to Evaluate Three-Phase Particle-Laden Flow

Abstract

Many technologies have been developed to improve the ability of fluids to transport particles. However, the evaluation of particle transport efficiency remains challenging, especially in complex flow such as three-phase flow. In the present research, theoretical and experimental work is conducted to develop a new perspective of evaluating particle transport technologies, particle transport coefficient (PTC) as the particle transport distance per unit volume of water consumption considering the transport efficiency and environmental cost. The mathematical form of the PTC for the steady-state transport case is derived, followed by three special transport cases: (a) PTC = 0 when particle settled or stuck, (b) PTC = infinity in the vertical direction, considering gravity or buoyant with carrier fluid stationary, while PTC = 0 in a horizontal pipe due to particle settlement; and (c) PTC = 2 for an infinitely small particle at the center of a fully-developed laminar flow in a pipe. Furthermore, the fluid property and surface property influence on PTC are experimentally demonstrated. We believe the proposed approach can promote the development of particle transport technologies.