The turbulent flow characteristics of model fibre suspensions

Abstract

AbstractThe pressure drop of aqueous model nylon fibre suspensions was determined in a vertical 2‐in. copper tube in the turbulent range as a function of velocity, fibre length‐to‐diameter ratio (L/D) and concentration. Fibre diameters ranged from 20.2 to 51.6 microns and length from 0.52 to 1.21 mm. A marked depression below the value for the pressure drop of water was observed at high L/D's and its magnitude increased with the solids concentration. For low L/D values the depression was almost negligible. An explanation is advanced for the depression in pressure drop based on alterations in the turbulence characteristics in the presence of fibres.