Prediction of the bed-load transport by gas-liquid stratified flows in horizontal ducts

TL;DR

This paper develops a model to predict bed-load transport characteristics in stratified gas-liquid flows within horizontal ducts, aiding industrial applications by estimating flow rates and bed instability features.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified model that estimates bed-load flow rates, celerity, and wavelength of instabilities using easily measurable parameters.

Findings

Model accurately predicts local bed-load flow rates.

Model estimates celerity and wavelength of bed instabilities.

Applicable to industrial stratified flow scenarios.

Abstract

Solid particles can be transported as a mobile granular bed, known as bed-load, by pressure-driven flows. A common case in industry is the presence of bed-load in stratified gas-liquid flows in horizontal ducts. In this case, an initially flat granular bed may be unstable, generating ripples and dunes. This three-phase flow, although complex, can be modeled under some simplifying assumptions. This paper presents a model for the estimation of some bed-load characteristics. Based on parameters easily measurable in industry, the model can predict the local bed-load flow rates and the celerity and the wavelength of instabilities appearing on the granular bed.