Dynamic characteristics of gangue slurry flow in pipelines under blockage conditions: Numerical Simulations

Abstract

Research on the dynamic characteristics of pipeline fluids under blockage conditions is critical for mitigating blockage-related risks. This study adopts the CFD-DEM coupling method, the movement processes of coarse particles during the pipeline transportation of gangue slurry are simulated and analyzed under varying degrees of pipeline blockage and grouting speeds. The influence laws of pipeline blockage degree and grouting speed on the dynamic characteristics of the slurry within the pipeline are explored. The findings indicate that: Upon completion of grouting, the maximum fluid resistance at the pipeline bottom at the blockage position increases linearly with the increase in blockage degree. The fluid gradient pressure and its variation both increase in a power exponential manner with the blockage degree. After grouting, the maximum fluid velocity and velocity variation at the pipeline top increase in a power exponential fashion with the blockage degree, and the fluid velocity ratio exhibits a power exponential growth trend. And the variation patterns of the fluid velocity peak position and velocity ratio at the pipeline top from numerical simulations, the pipeline blockage location and degree can be accurately determined. These research results offer a scientific foundation for enabling rapid and precise blockage location, thereby mitigating blockage risks.