SOLUTION TO CHAPTER 4 EXERCISES: SLURRY TRANSPORT

EXERCISE 4.1
Samples of a phosphate slurry mixture are analyzed in a lab. The following data describe
the relationship between the shear stress and the shear rate:
Shear Rate & ( sec 1 )

Shear Stress,

25
75
125
175
225
325
425
525
625
725
825

38
45
48
51
53
55.5
58
60
62
63.2
64.3

( Pa )

The slurry mixture is non-Newtonian. If it is considered a power-law slurry, what is the

relationship of the viscosity to the shear rate?
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.1:
First prepare a plot of log(shear stress) versus log (shear rate).

= k& n
log = log k + n log &
Shear Rate
25
75
125
175
225
325
425
525
625
725
825

Shear Stress Log (Shear Stress)

38
45
48
51
53
55.5
58
60
62
63.2
64.3

1.58
1.65
1.68
1.71
1.72
1.74
1.76
1.78
1.79
1.80
1.81

Log (Shear Rate)

1.40
1.88
2.10
2.24
2.35
2.51
2.63
2.72
2.80
2.86
2.92

From this plot

Slope = 0.15
Intercept = 1.37
Slope = n = 0.15
Intercept = log k = 1.37
k = 23.4 Ns0.15/m2

= 23.4& 0.15 with & in sec 1 and in Pa

and

app =

= 23.4& 0.85
&

Problem 4.1
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

Shear Rate

Problem 4.1
Log (Shear Stress)

Shear Stress

Hence,

1.85
1.8
1.75
1.7
1.65
1.6
1.55
0

Log (Shear Rate)

EXERCISE 4.2:
Verify equation 4.7
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.2:

r
z

For one-dimensional, fully-developed, laminar flow in a pipe, the z component of the

momentum balance simplifies to the differential equation
p 1
O= +
( r rz )
z r r
For a power-law fluid
dv

rz = k z
dr
Hence,
P k d dvz
+
r

L r dr dr
P
p
has been replaced by +
since the pressure gradient is constant.
Here
L
z
Integrating once,
n

O=+

r P C1 dvz

+ =

2k L
r dr

C1 must equal to zero since the velocity gradient is zero at r = 0 .

Integrating again,
1

1 +1

P n r n

+ C2 = v z

2 Lk 1 + 1

n
Applying the boundary condition that vz = 0 at r = R
1
1
1+
1+

n
R r n
P

vz = +

2kL n + 1
n
1

The average velocity vAV is equal to

R

vAV =

2
rvz dr
R 2 0

Hence
R

vAV

1
1
1+
3+
1
2

n
n
n
2 P
R r
r

= 2

R 2kL n+1 3n + 1 n + 1
2
n n n
0

vAV

2 P n 3+ 1n
n
= 2

R
R 2kL
2 ( 3n + 1)

and
1

Simplifying with

vAV

D
=R
2

PD
=

4kL

Dn
2 ( 3n + 1)

EXERCISE 4.3:
Verify equation 4.28
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.3:

r
z

For one-dimensional, fully-developed laminar flow in a pipe, the z component of the

momentum balance simplifies to the differential equation
O=

P 1
+
( r rz )
z r r

For any fluid

Pr d
= ( r rz )
dr
L

Integrating,
Pr
= rz
2L
For pipe flow

since rz must be finite at r = 0

rz = y + p

dvz
dr

since

dvz
is negative for pipe flow
dr

Hence,

dv
Pr
= y + p z
2L
dr

Rearranging,

Pr y dvz
+
=
2 L p p dr

Integrating,

Pr 2 y r
+
+ C2 = v z
4 L p p

Apply the boundary condition vz = 0

r=R

P R2 y R
+
= C2
4 L p
p

P ( R2 r2 ) y ( r R )
vz =
+
4 L p
p

This velocity profile is valid for R* r R . For the plug flow region r R* ,

dvz
= 0.
dr

In the plug flow region, the velocity is constant and

rz = y =

PR*
2L
5

The plug flow velocity can be found by substituting this expression for y into the
velocity profile.
P ( R 2 R*2 )

vz =

4 L p

vz =

P ( R R* )
4 p L

P R* ( R* R )

2 L p

for 0 r R*

Both velocity regions must be integrated to determine the average velocity vAV .
vAV

2
= 2
R

R*

2
2
P
R R* ) rdr + 2
(
4 p L
R

R*

R 2 r 2 ) + y ( r R ) rdr
(

p
4 p L

Integrating,
vAV

4
PR 2 4 R* 1 R*
=
1 +
8 p L 3 R 3 R

vAV

4
R 0 4 y 1 y
1
=
+
4 p 3 0 3 0

or

where 0 is the wall shear stress

0 =

RP
2L

EXERCISE 4.4
A slurry behaving as a pseudoplastic fluid is flowing through a smooth round tube having
an inside diameter of 5 cm at an average velocity of 8.5 m/s. The density of the slurry is
900 kg/m3 and its flow index and consistency index are n = 0.3 and k = 3.0 Ns0.3/m2.
Calculate the pressure drop for a) 50 m length of horizontal pipe and b) 50 m length of
vertical pipe with the flow moving against gravity.

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.4:

First check if the flow is laminar or turbulent

*
transition

Re

6464 0.3 ( 2.3)

(1.9 )

2.3
1.3

0.3

1.7

1.9

Re*transition = 2345
Re* at flow conditions,
1.7

kg
m
0.3

8 900 3 ( 0.05 m ) 8.5

0.3
m
s 0.3
*

Re =
3.8
Ns 0.3
3.0
m2
Re* = 17340 > Re*transition turbulent
The friction factor f f is given by

1
4
= 0.75 log Re*
ff n

f f 2n

0.4
n

Solving for f f with Re = 17340 and n = 0.3 , yields

*

f f = 0.0026
a) the pressure drop for horizontal flow is then

p = 2 f f m

L 2
v AV
D

kg 50m

m
p = 2 ( 0.0026 ) 900 3
8.5 s
m
0.05m

)
2

p = 338

kN
m2

b) the pressure drop for vertical flow is given by

h f =

p
+ z
m g

or

L 2
p = m gh f + m g z = 2 f f m v AV
+ m g z
D

kg 50m m
kg
m

p = 2 ( 0.0026 ) 900 3
8.5 + 900 3 9.8 2 ( 50m )
m 0.05m
s
m s

p = 779

kN
m2

EXERCISE 4.5
The concentration of a water-based slurry sample is to be found by drying the slurry in an
oven. Determine the slurry weight concentration given the following data:

Weight of container plus dry solids 0.31kg

Weight of container plus slurry
0.48kg
Weight of container
0.12kg
Determine the density of the slurry if the solid specific gravity is 3.0.
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.5:

Weight of dry solids = 0.31-0.12 = 0.19kg

Weight of slurry = 0.48-0.12 = 0.36kg
Concentration of solids by weight =

0.19
= 0.53
0.36

The density of the slurry is found by

0.53
0.47
+
kg
kg
3000 3 1000 3
m
m

m = 1546

kg
m3

EXERCISE 4.6
A coal-water slurry has a specific gravity of 1.3. If the specific gravity of coal is 1.65,
what is the weight percent of coal in the slurry? What is the volume percent coal?
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.6:

Cw

(1 Cw )
f

(1 Cw )
1
C
= w +
1.3 1.65
1.0
Solving for Cw ,

Cw = 0.586
mass coal
Cw =
mass slurry
Cw m

Volume fraction coal =

Volume fraction coal =

( 0.586 )(1.3) = 0.46

1.65

EXERCISE 4.7
The following rheology test results were obtained for a mineral slurry containing 60
percent solids by weight. Which rheological model describes the slurry and what are the
appropriate rheological properties for this slurry?

Rate of Shear (1/s)

Shear Stress (Pa)

0
0.1
1
10
15
25
40
45

4.0
4.03
4.2
5.3
5.8
6.7
7.8
8.2

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.7:

The shear stress at zero shear rate is 4.0 Pa. Hence, this slurry exhibits yield stress equal
to 4.0 Pa. In order to determine whether the slurry behaves as a Bingham fluid or if it
follows the Herschel-Bulkley model, we need to plot y versus shear rate.

y (Pa)
0
0.03
0.2
1.3
1.8
2.7
3.8
4.2

Shear Rate (1/s)

0
0.1
1
10
15
25
40
45

A plot of y versus shear rate on an arithmetric scale is not linear. However, a plot
of y versus shear rate on a log-log scale is linear (the data for zero shear rate is
excluded)

y = k& n
ln ( y ) = ln k + n ln &

10

ln ( y )

ln &

-3.51
-1.61
+0.26
+0.59
+0.99
+1.34
+1.44

-2.30
0
+2.30
+2.71
+3.22
+3.69
+3.81

Shear Rate
0.1
1
10
15
25
40
45

Slope = 0.81 = n
Intercept = -1.62 = ln k

Ns 0.81
k = 0.20
m2
EXERCISE 4.8
A mud slurry is drained from a tank through a 50 ft. long horizontal plastic hose. The
hose has an elliptical cross-section, with a major axis of 4 inches and a minor axis of 2
inches. The open end of the hose is 10 feet below the level in the tank. The mud is a
Bingham plastic with a yield stress of 100 dynes/cm2, a plastic viscosity of 50cp, and a
density of 1.4 g/cm3.
a) At what velocity will water drain from the hose?
b) At what velocity will the mud drain from the hose?
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.8:

Applying the modified Bernoulli equation to the system between points 1 and 2,

11

2
vAV

0 = + h f + z +

2g

or,
2
vAV
0 = + h f + z2 z1 +
2g

where h f =

2 ff L 2

vAV and z2 z1 = 3.048 m

g Dh 2

Need to determine the hydraulic diameter of the pipe with the elliptical cross-section:

Dh =

4 cross-sectional area
wetted perimeter

2b

2a

( 4 )( ab )

Dh =

Dh =

(a

+ b2 )
2

( 4 )( 2 in )(1 in ) = 2.53 in = 0.0643 m

2

4 in 2 + 1 in 2
2

Plugging in numbers (SI units),

2
2 f f 15.24 m 2
vAV
0=
v 3.048 m +
m 0.0643 m AV
m

9.8 2
2 ) 9.8 2
(
s
s

2
2
0 = 0.051vAV
3.048 + 48.3 f f vAV

(*)

12

Solution Procedure:

1) Calculate He
2) Guess velocity v AV
3) Calculate Re
4) Find f f from Figure 6.
5) Check governing equation (*)
6) If governing equation is not satisfied, guess a new velocity vAV
kg
kg
2

1400 3 ( 0.0643 m ) 10

m D
m
m s2

He =
=
2

kg

0.050

ms

2
h y
2
p

He = 23,153
Solution via iterative procedure for water:

kg
m

1000 3 ( 0.0643 m ) 3.65

Dv
m
s

=
= 2.3 105
Re =
kg

0.001

ms

vAV = 3.65 m s

f f (Re = 2.3 105 ;smooth tube) = 0.0037

Solution via iterative procedure for mud:

vAV = 3.2

m
s

kg
m

1400 3 3.2 ( 0.0643 m )

m
s
= 5.7 103
Re =
kg
0.05
m s

f f (Re = 5.7 103 ; He = 2.3 104 ) 0.005

13

EXERCISE 4.9
A coal slurry is found to behave as a power-law fluid with a flow index 0.3, a specific
gravity 1.5, and an apparent viscosity of 70cp at a shear rate 100s-1.
a) What volumetric flow rate of this fluid would be required to reach turbulent flow in a
1/2 in. I.D. smooth pipe which is 15 ft. long?
b) What is the pressure drop (in Pa) in the pipe under these conditions?
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.9:
*

a) First, calculate Re transition for n = 0.3

*
transition

Re

6464 ( 0.3)

(1 + 3( 0.3) )

0.3

( 2 + 0.3)

2+ 0.3

1+ 0.3

+
1
3
0.3
(
)

20.3

Re*transition = 2340
Also, need to calculate k , the consistency index

app = k& n1
kg
100
= k
0.07

m s
s
k = 1.76

0.7

kg
ms1.7

Applying equation 4.19, the average velocity in the smooth pipe can be found.
2 n
n
8 m D nvAV
Re =

k
( 6n + 2 )

kg
0.3

0.3
8 1500 3 ( 0.0127 m ) v1.7
AV

0.3
m

2340=

kg
6
0.3
2
+
(
)

1.76
ms1.7
Solving for vAV
14

vAV = 1.61

m
s

The volumetric flow rate Q is then

m
2 0.0254 m

1.61 ( 0.5 in )

s
1 in

Q = vAV (Cross-Sectional Area, A C ) =

4
= 2.0 10

m3
s

b)

L 2
p = 2 f f m vAV
D
ff =

16
= 0.007
Re*

kg 4.572 m
m

p = 2 ( 0.007 ) 1500 3
1.61
m 0.0127 m
s

p = 19600 Pa

EXERCISE 4.10
A mud slurry is draining from the bottom of a large tank through a 1 m long vertical pipe
that is 1 cm I.D. The open end of the pipe is 4 m below the level in the tank. The mud
behaves as a Bingham plastic with a yield stress of 10 N/m2, an apparent viscosity of 0.04
kg/ms, and a density of 1500 kg/m3. At what velocity will the mud slurry drain from the
hose?

15

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.10:

Applying the modified Bernoulli equation to the system above

h f = z2 z1 +

2
vAV
2

2g

Assuming the flow is laminar, the head loss due to pipe friction is given by

hf =

p3 p2
m g

Applying equation 4.30,

32 p vAV2 L
hf =

m g

16 y L
3D

kg
N

32 0.04
vAV2 (1 m ) 16 10 2 (1 m )
m s
m

+
2
3 ( 0.01 m )
( 0.01 m )
hf =
kg
m

1500 3 9.8 2
m
s

h f = 0.87vAV + 0.36

16

Plugging this head loss back into the modified Bernoulli equation,
2
vAV
0.87vAV 0.36 = 4 +
2 ( 9.8 )

Rearranging,
2
0 = 71.3 + 17.1 vAV + vAV

vAV =

17.1

vAV = 3.5 m

(17.1)

4 ( 71.3)

2
s

(other solution yields a negative velocity)

Check original assumption to see if flow is laminar

kg
m

1500 3 3.5 ( 0.01 m )

v D
m
s
Re = m AV =
= 1300
kg
p

0.04

m s

Flow is laminar and original assumption is correct.

EXERCISE 4.11
A mud slurry is draining in laminar flow from the bottom of a large tank through a 5 m
long horizontal pipe that is 1 cm inside diameter. The open end of the pipe is 5 m below
the level in the tank. The mud is a Bingham plastic with a yield stress of 15 N/m2, an
apparent viscosity of 0.06 kg/ms, and a density of 2000 kg/m3. At what velocity will the
mud slurry drain from the hose?

17

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.11:

Applying the modified Bernoulli equation to the system above

2
vAV
h f = z2 z1 +
2g

Assuming the flow is laminar, the head loss due to pipe friction is given by

hf =

p3 p2
=
m g

32 p vAV2 L
D2

m g

16 y L
3D

kg
N

32 0.06
vAV2 ( 5 m ) 16 15 2 ( 5 m )
m s
m

+
2
3 ( 0.01 m )
( 0.01 m )
hf =
kg
m

2000 3 9.8 2
m
s

h f = 4.90 vAV2 + 2.04

18

Plugging this head loss back into the modified Bernoulli equation,

4.9vAV2 2.04 = 5 +

2
vAV

2 9.8 2
s

Rearranging,
2
vAV
+ 96.0 vAV 58 = 0

vAV =

96

vAV = 0.6

( 96 )

4 ( 58 )

2
m
s

(other solution yields a negative velocity)

Check original assumption to see if flow is laminar

kg
m

2000 3 0.6 ( 0.01 m )

v D
m
s
Re = m AV =
kg

p
0.06

m s

Re = 200 flow is laminar

19