Simulation of horizontal slug-flow pneumatic conveying with kinetic theory

Abstract

Wavelike slug-flow is a representative flow type in horizontal pneumatic conveying. Kinetic theory was introduced to establish a 3D kinetic numerical model for wavelike slug gas-solid flow in this paper. Wavelike motion of particulate slugs in horizontal pipes was numerically investigated. The formation and motion process of slugs and settled layer were simulated. The characteristics of the flow, such as pressure drop, air velocity distribution, slug length and settled layer thickness, and the detailed changing characteristics of slug length and settled layer thickness with air velocity were obtained. The results indicate that kinetic theory can represent the physical characteristics of the non-suspension dense phase flow of wavelike slug pneumatic conveying. The experiment in this paper introduced a new idea for the numerical calculation of slug-flow pneumatic conveying.