Rheological behaviour of low fraction ice slurry in pipes and pressure loss in pipe sudden contractions and expansions

The paper presents the results of experimental research on up to 15% ice slurry made from 10.6% ethylene alcohol. It looks at the pressure loss coefficient during its laminar flow through sudden contractions and expansions. The experimental investigations dealing with pressure loss coefficients were preceded by considerations and calculations in the field of the rheological behaviour of the ice slurry. Similarly to what can be found in papers by some other authors, two different types of behaviour were observed, depending on the shear rate values: behaviour close to the Bingham model for the low shear rate region, and for high shear rate values, a power law with a shear thickening behaviour. To predict ice slurry behaviour in both the low and the high shear rate region, the modified Herschel–Bulkley rheological model was suggested. In this model, generalized correlations for the yield stress, the consistency coefficient and the flow index were proposed.

► I examine a flow of low fraction ice slurry made from 10.6% ethylene alcohol. ► I examine the pressure loss in straight pipe and pipe fittings. ► Herschel–Bulkley model for flow of ice slurry was generalized. ► New correlations to predict of loss coefficients in pipe fittings were presented.