Experimental Characterization of Slug Flow on Solid Particle Transport in a 1 Deg Upward Inclined Pipeline

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the influence of hydraulic and two phase (gasliquid) flows on sand dune transportation resulting from a stationary flatbed, for horizontal and 1 deg upward pipe inclination. For gasliquid conveying of solid particles, pipe inclination resulted in considerably different transport phenomena relative to those observed for horizontal orientation. Key distinguishing features such as backward bed movement and enhanced particle suspension were observed and were found to be highly gasliquid ratio dependent. Using image processing, the solid particle suspension layer was quantified as a function of the gasliquid flow. The measurements presented provide fundamental insights into the influence of upward pipe inclination on bedload mode solid transportation in a closed conduit.