Friction factor of the lateritic pulp considered Herschel-Bulkley fluid in laminar flow regime

Abstract

In order to evaluate the influence exerted by concentration of solids and the fluid velocity on the pressure drop when this type of pulp is transported in a straight section of horizontal pipe the performance of lateritic pulps was studied with 41% and 42.5% solids/weight, at a temperature of 27 ºC and in laminar regime, . The results confirm that the analyzed pulp performs like real plastic, meeting Herschel-Bulkley’s model; the pressure drop increased due to an increase of the fluid velocity in pipeline, which shows that the latter holds a greater influence on the pressure drop than the friction factor and the density. It was also determined that the friction factor increases while the solids concentration increases.

Keywords

• factor de fracción
• pulpa laterítica
• modelo Herschel-Bulkley
• caída de presión
• régimen laminar.