Pressure drops and loss coefficients of a phase change material slurry in pipe fittings

In this study, we investigated the pressure drops and loss coefficients of a phase change material slurry-tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) clathrate hydrate slurry (CHS) in pipe fittings. Pressure drops of TBAB CHS in 6 mm and 14 mm straight tubes, 14 mm 90° elbow, sudden contraction from 14 mm to 6 mm, sudden expansion from 6 mm to 14 mm, 14 mm tee distribution and convergence were measured as the mass fraction of TBAB CHS varying from 0 wt% to 30 wt%. Power-law model was applied to describe the characteristics of slurry flow, and the fluid parameters including the flow behavior index and fluid consistence factor were obtained for 6 mm and 14 mm tubes respectively. Furthermore, the loss coefficients of TBAB CHS flowing through the pipe fittings were obtained from the experimental results and the corresponding correlations were also developed.

► We experimentally measured the pressure drop of TBAB CHS in pipe fittings.
► Power-law fluid model was applied to describe the characteristics of slurry flow.
► Loss coefficients and correlations for TBAB CHS flow in the pipe fittings were obtained.