Rheology of fibre suspension flows in the pipeline hydro-transport of biomass feedstock. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faghani, Ali; Sen, Samya; Vaezi, Mahdi; Kumar, Amit
• Is Part Of: Biosystems engineering. Volume 200(2020)
• Page Start: 284
• Page End: 297
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Rheology -- Biomass -- Slurry -- Non-Newtonian fluid -- Viscosity model -- Pressure drop; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Agricultural engineering -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Génie rural -- Périodiques; Systèmes biologiques -- Périodiques; 631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.10.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-5110

Abstract

Abstract : In the hydro-transport of biomass feedstock by pipeline to bio-refineries, the rheology of the biomass slurry directly impacts the specifications and, therefore the cost of pipeline components. In this study, the rheological characteristics of untreated fine wood chip slurries across a broad range of slurry temperatures (5–15 °C) and solids concentrations (3–15 wt% dry-matter) were experimentally studied. Slurry samples were pumped in a closed-circuit pipeline facility where slurry flow longitudinal pressure drops were simultaneously measured. The rheological characteristics of the samples were then measured using a rotational viscometer with a vane-in-cup geometry. At low slurry concentrations (˂6 wt% dry-matter), the biomass slurry exhibited Newtonian behaviour; however, non-Newtonian (shear-thinning) behaviour was seen at higher slurry concentrations. In order to approximate the corresponding rheological parameters, different well-known non-Newtonian viscosity models (power-law, Bingham, Casson, and Herschel-Bulkley) were applied to experimental data. In addition, a new approach for approximating the apparent viscosity of biomass slurries using longitudinal pressure drop measurements was introduced and validated. The method has not been previously applied to non-Newtonian biomass slurries under turbulent flow regimes. Highlights: Rheological characteristics of untreated wood chip biomass slurries were studied. Biomass slurry samples were made off a closed-circuit pipeline facility. Rotational viscometer with vane-in-cup geometry was used over range of temperatures. Corresponding rheological parameters were approximated using well-known models. A pressure drop-based method proposed to approximate viscosity of slurry flows.