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Simplified Procedure for Pressure Drop Prediction in Low-Velocity Slug-Flow Pneumatic Conveying

Based on powder mechanics and packed-bed model, theoretical equations have been derived [4] to predict pressure drop in low-velocity slug-flow pneumatic conveying of bulk solid materials. By applying and analysing these equations, it was found that the effect of packed-bed aeration characteristics on the prediction of pressure drop can be neglected. Therefore, the pressure drop can be predicted simply after measuring some particle properties (e.g. loose-poured bulk density, wall friction angle and internal friction angle). The packed-bed aeration charactenstics can be assumed arbitranly. Comparison was made between the predicted and expenmental values of pressure drop for six bulk solid materials which were good candidates for slug-flow and had dramatically different particle properties in terms of size, size distribution, density and shape. The agreement was very good.