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Porosity and surface area of a granular bed from measurements of the flow of air through the bed and measurements of the granular shape factors

This article has been downloaded from IOPscience. Please scroll down to see the full text article. 1961 Br. J. Appl. Phys. 12 172 (http://iopscience.iop.org/0508-3443/12/4/310) View the table of contents for this issue, or go to the journal homepage for more

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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROPERTIES O F M A T E R I A L S I N T H E P A C K I N G O F R E A L S P H E R I C A L P A R T I C L E S

MACRAE, C., FINLAYSON, and GRAY, A., 1957, J. P. C., W. Nature (London), 179, 1365. MEWAU, and STACH, 1934, J. Inst. Fuel, 7 336. R., E., , R. Nuss, W. F., and WHITIPI'G, L., 1947, Bull, Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol., 31?2044. ROSE, E., 1945, Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, 153, 141. H. SMITH,W. O., FOOTE,D., and BUSANG, F., 1929, Phys. P. P. Rev., 34, 1272.

STEWART,D. A., 1951, High Quality Concrete (London: Spon). VERMAN, C., and BANERJEE, 1946, Nature (London), L. S., 157, 584. WESTMANN, E. R., and HUGILL, R., 1930, J. Amer. A. H. Ceram. Soc., 13, 767. WHITE,H. E., and WALTON, F., 1937, J. Amer. Ceram. S. Soc., 20, 155.

Porosity and surface area of a granular bed from measurements of the flow of air through the bed and measurements of the granular shape factors
by W. M. JONES, D.Phil., F.lnst.P., and D. MILLS, B.Sc., Grad.Inst.P., Department of Physics, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth

MS. received 21st December 1959, in revisedform 13th October 1960

Abstract

Flow experimentsgive an equation relating E to S in terms o measurable quantities, where E is the inter-granular f porosity of the bed, and S is the envelope surface area of the granules in 1 em3 of bed. Heywood's shape factors for the granules give a second equation relating E to S. Using the two equations E and S can be determined uniquely. If the tortuosity factor be taken to be 7712 in the equationsgiven previously (Jones 1956), connecting the friction factor h and the Reynolds number (Re), then h =16/(Re)for granular beds, as for long straight tubes.
HE flow of a fluid through a granular bed is related to

e3/S and other measurable quantities, where E is the inter-granular porosity of the bed, and S is the envelope surface area of the granules in 1 cm3 of bed. E and S cannot be determined uniquely from flow alone and when the k (Heywood's volume constant) = l/dNdp3. (2) granules are themselves porous diffculties exist in determining f (Heywood's surface coefficient) = either E or S separately by other means; for example, if E be 1.57 ~ k 4 / 3 { t i)in1/3} (~ (3) determined by a liquid displacement method then doubt exists as to the extent of the penetration of liquid into the So(the specific surface determined optically) = Nfdp2. (4) pores of the granules and if attempts are made to seal the Once So is found S follows from the weight of unit volume pores before immersion in liquid doubts exist as to the efficiency of the sealing. S cannot be determined by an of the granular bed. In Eqns (2) to (4), N is the number of granules per gramme, adsorption method because then the internal area of the pores would contribute to the area which is measured. n is the elongation index being the ratio LIB where L is the However, Heywood's (1947) shape factors can be used to average length of the granules and B their average breadth give a set of equations connecting E with S and these can be (Heywood 1947), C is a constant put equal to 3.1, dp 'the used in conjunction with flow experiments, to determine E mean projected diameter' of a granule is defined by dp = 4Ai.rN, where A is the specific projected area of the and S uniquely. granules settled in their most stable position. Theoretical If an incorrect value is chosen for d i n the first place then The principle of the method is the application of the E and S will be wrong and in the streamline region of flow the result of the previous paper (Jones 1956), namely, that if the graph representing log h as a function of log (Re) for the flow resistance of a bed is represented on a graph showing granules will be parallel to the graph established using lead log h as a function of log (Re), where h is the friction factor shot. E and S must now be altered to make the graphs and (Re) the Reynolds number, then the graphs will be the coincide in the streamline region of flow. Consider the same for beds of irregular granules as they are for beds of choice of d to be wrong by a factor x then k will be wrong regular granules. To represent the flow resistance on such a by a factor l/x, f will be wrong by a factor y , where graph use is made of the equations y = (1.57 Ck413(n l ) / ~ ~ / ~ n ' / ~ > / ( 1 Ck413(n l)/n113} .57 and So and S will both be wrong by a factor y. E will be h =1/2Ap~~gl/p~~(S (410)) (Re) = 21/2up/~{S (4/D)} (1) wrong by a factor z, where z = (x - 1 E ) / X E . Thus, and VOL. 12, APRIL 1961 172 BRITISH JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS

where Ap is the flow resistance of the bed (cm w.g.), E is the porosity of the bed, D its diameter, and 1 its length, S is the envelope surface area of the granules in 1 cm3 of bed, U is the velocity of flow of the fluid of density p and viscosity into, or out of, the bed. For beds of regular solid particles (e.g. lead shot) all the quantities in Eqn (1) can be determined and the position of the graph established. The values of E and S can then be chosen for the beds of irregular particles so that the flow results lie on the same graph. TO chose a value for E assume a value for the envelope density d of the granules (e.g. 0 - 7 g ~ m -for charcoal ~ granules) and hence knowing the weight of the granules per unit volume of bed, E can be determined. Once d is fixed the value of S is also fixed since d and S are interconnected through the following sequence of equations. (The terms used in the equations are defined after the complete sequence has been written down.)

+ +

POROSITY A N D S U R F A C E AREA OF A G R A N U L A R B E D

instead of log h and log (Re) the wrong values log h j log 2 3 logy and log (Re) - logy have been calculated; in practice, z3 > y , hence the displacement of the graph representing results for the granules is approximately logz3; thus z is found and, subsequently, the correct values of E and S.

I\

T
00425

D mo f leadshot mm.
2.80

Size 01 bed (DxC) Cm

2U4 2x2 3x 3 2x4

0.422

2.80
280 241

A 0408
X 0408

0 0 - 4 0 3 2.41 3x3 Experimental The quantities i the equations (1) to (4) which are measurn able are AP, U, N, dp and n. These were measured with apparatus very similar to that described in the previous paper (Jones 1956), using the same experimental technique; indeed, the only constructional alteration in the apparatus was in the flow apparatus in that alcohol manometers after the design of KovaEiE (1953) were used for measuring pressure differencesless than 2 cm w.g., instead of the aniline/sodiumcarbonate manometer used previously. Two alcohol manometers were used; one measuring a pressure difference of 2 mm w.g. full scale, the other measuring 2 cm w.g. full scale. The other quantities occurring in Eqns (1) to (4) are known from the known properties of air and the known dimensions of the charcoal beds, except of course, E and S which are being determined. Having determined E and S the quantities V (envelope volume per gramme) and So could be calculated. V and So should be constant for each charcoal independent of any variation in E and S from bed to bed. The dimensions of the beds used in the experiments were determined by the dimensions of the canisters in which the beds were packed. Twelve canisters in all were used, comprising four canisters of each of the diameters 2, 3 and Fig. 1. Curves showing the relationship between the friction 4cm. The four canisters of each diameter had lengths of factor and Reynolds number for beds of (U) lead shot, (b) char1, 2, 3 and 4cm, respectively. More than one bed of any coal granules. given dimension was made up during the course of the experiments. The beds were not used for the sole purpose of number), the most unfavourable case is represented, that is, determining E and S,but were used in uptake experiments; where the two errors work in the same direction to produce on the other hand, the flow characteristics of each was a larger error. At high flows a number of observational measured and the results can be used for the purpose of errors of about the same magnitude occur; it is unreasonable finding E and S. For the largest granules flow experiments to assume they can all act in the same direction so that the were also made with a bed 120 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. root mean square error is given for these. In taking samples of charcoal for measurement of L and B The curve established in the streamline region of flow care was taken to avoid choosing the larger particles because using lead shot beds is shown again in Fig. I(b) by the broken they are more evident in a number of granules spread on a line. The experimental points obtained using three different white background; therefore, in sampling the charcoal, a beds of charcoal from the BAS. range -8 -F 10 are shown spoonful was taken from the bottle and all the granules in on the figure. To calculate E and S the superficial density the spoonful examined. Another spoonful was then taken was taken to be 0.715 g cmP3; the best straight line through and so on until at least 50 granules had been measured. The points at values of Reynolds number less than 3 .O is shown same procedure w s followed in counting granules for the by the full line. This line represents streamline flow through a determination of N except that here the sample counted was the charcoal beds. The full line can be made to coincide about 0.5 gm. (In the case of the -52 $60 charcoal the with the broken line by taking the density of the charcoal to sample was dispersed in a large known volume of glycerine be 0 . 6 9 5 g ~ m - ~ .Results for other grades of charcoals, and the number of granules in a known small part of this together with shape factors relating to the charcoals are counted, after filtration.) To avoid dust adding to the value given in the Table. The symbols used in the Table are defmed of A the granules were washed in alcohol before evaluating A. by equations (2) to (4). The experimental errors in Fig. l(b) are determined as Five sieve fractions separated from one stock of charcoal were studied in the experiments. The charcoals are described for those in Fig. l(u). It is important to note that care must be taken in measuring the diameter of the beds, since it in the Table. to ultimately occurs as the fourth power in and squared in (Re). Results obtained with flows of air from 0.03 I/& 501/min through beds of lead shot are shown in Fig. I(u). Discussion The straight portion of the curve corresponds to streamline It is known from other experiments that values determined flow through the beds and the point of departure of the curve from the straight line to the onset of turbulence; this occurs for the surface area of granular particles depend on the experimental method used and, consequently, the surface at a value of Reynolds number of about 3.0. Several errors of observation can occur. At the smallest area should be defined in relation to the use to which the flow by far the largest are the errors in determining the values of the surface area are put. The work which has been pressure difference across the bed and in determining the described was carried out as part of a series of experiments flow itself; the other errors are negligible. In plotting the to measure the uptake of benzene by charcoal beds as a points on Fig, l(a) at low flow (small values of Reynolds function of the physical variables of the beds, the benzene VOL. 12, A m 1961 p 173 BRITISH JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS

P O R O S I T Y AND S U R F A C E AREA OF A G R A N U L A R BED

Table. Description o f the charcoals

B A S . range
D, (cm)
g -1

Directly measurable A dp fcm) (cmzg-1) i to 1%

Deduced from best f i r inpow exoerimenrs

8+10 -10$12 -144-16 --18+22 -52+60

0.187 318 5 0.154 560 6 1578 9 0.110 4740 & 25 0.078 0,027 1.2 2 0.1 X lo5

16.4 i 0 . 4 19.7 i 0.3 27.3 ? 0.4 41.8 i 0.2 131 2 2

0.256 0.212 0.148 0.108 0.0375

0.250 0.179 0.144 0.046

0.189 0.139 0.100 0.033

1.32 1.29 1.44 1.41

1.37 1.35 1.38 1.37

1.45 1.41 1.43 1.41

0.229 0.276 0.253 0.221

68-1 94.8 140.0 416

being carried in an a r stream passing through the beds of the curves whkh were common to all investigations i (Mills 1959), and it was thought that flow porosity and (values of log (Re) > 0.6). The results given in Fig. l(a) envelope surface area (as defined by flow) would be relevanr are similarly in agreement with previous results. Apart variables to consider and therefore measure. But values of E from the results of the previous paper and those given here and S as defined by flow would be of value in many other no results are known for values of log (Re) < 0.6; close problems where the flow of fluids around granular particles examination of the results given here and those given in the occm, for example, not only in consolidated beds, but also previous paper will show they deviate from one another in fluidized beds and under conditions where particles faU when log (Re) < 0.0. Several precautions were taken in through fluids (Institute of Physics Conference 1951). The calibrating instruments for the determination of the absolute usefulness of determining E and S (and hence V and So) by a position of the line on Fig. l(a) and its position is considered flow method is therefore clear. The question arising is how to be reliable; the linear part of the curve satisfies the equation far the method described here does measure the flow porosity h = 19*S/(Re). In streamline flow through straight tubes and surface area of the granular beds. This question was in h = 16/(Re). The numerical constant 19.5 depends on effect answered by the work of the previous paper (Jones definitions used in deriving expressions for and (Re) (cf. 1956) when it was shown that Eqn (1) did apply to regular Rose (Institute of Physics Conference 1951), whose numerical and irregular particles, the value of Sfor the irregular particles constants are different from ours by a factor of loo), and having been determined from the Eqns (2) to (4) and the also on the numbers substituted for quantities such as the envelope volume (and hence E) from liquid displacement tortuosity factor le/l; if in deriving Eqn (1) lc/I were put instead of 2/2 then h = 16/(Re) for beds as for and a relationship between E and DJD. In this work the equal to 7~12 envelope volume was not found from liquid displacement, tubes. The tortuosity factor was equated to 4 2 in Eqn (1) but V and So were found by trial and error by using the after Carman (1956, p. 45), but there is considerable justisequence of Eqns (1) to (4). This paper is, in fact, an fication for taking 712 as the tortuosity factor in that it is account of the method of trial and error. As a check on the ratio between the semi-circumferenceand the diameter of this present work the volume of fluid displaced statically by a circle and thus represents the longer path taken round a the charcoal was found at the Chemical Defence Experi- sphere rather than through it (Carman 1956). To be able to mental Establishment, Porton, by immersing the unsieved represent flow through granular beds on the same curve as charcoal in mercury (under a pressure of 1 atm) and also flow through tubes is a satisfying result and a pleasing appliby immersing the charcoal in water, after treating the char- cation of the principles of similarity. To be able to do this coal with silicone fluid. The purpose of the silicone treatment directly Eqn (1) should be modiiied by putting le/l = 4 2 was to make the charcoal water-repellent so that water did instead of equal to 4 2 ; Eqn (1) then becomes not penetrate the interior of the granules. The specsc volume V was found to be 1e38 cm3 g-' from immersion in mercury and also from immersion in water. On the other hand, the average value of V taken from the Table is In conclusion, the absolute position of the curve of Fig. l(u) 1 -43 cm3 g-' which is 39% greater than the value found by does not affect the values found for E and S for the charcoal liquid displacement. Since the value of V is the same by beds. These values are chosen so that the curve representing both mercury displacement and water displacement, the the flow through the charcoal beds coincides with that reprevalue 1.38 must be right since if there were much penetration senting the flow through the lead shot beds of known E and S. into the interior it would be unlikely that it would be the Hence, constants in Eqn (1) and constants of calibration of same for the different liquids. The slightly greater volume flow apparatus do not alter the values found for E and S of found by air flow could be accounted for by supposing a the charcoal beds. stagnant layer of air of 10-4cm thickness to cling to the The work was done in consultation with the Chemical particles during the flow experiments; considering the rough- Defence Experimental Establishment, Porton. We are ness of the particles such a stagnant layer would not be particularly grateful to Dr. F. A. P. Maggs for his interest surprising. In any event it is felt the agreement between the in the work. results of the various methods of finding V, which have been References described is sufficiently close to justify the use of air flow P. together with Heywood's shape factors to iind porosities CARMAN, C., 1956, Flow of Gases through Porous Media (London: Butterworths Scientific Publications). and surface areas for use in problems where fluid flow occurs. Consider now the absolute position of the curve of Fig. l(a) HEYWOOD, H., 1947, Symposium on Particle Size Analysis, Supplement to Trans Instn Chem. Eng.,25,18. with respect to the coordinate axes. In the previous paper OF comparison was made between the results given there and INSTITUTE Pmsics, 1951, Some Aspects of Fluid Flow (London: Edward Arnold). those summarized by Rose and Mott (Institute of Physics W. Conference 1951), for regular particles, allowance being JONES, M., 1956, Brit. J. Appl. Phys., 7 , 370. E., made for different definitions of h and (Re), and it was seen KOVA~IE, 1953, J. Sci. Instrum., 30, 304. D., that the results were in mutual agreement over those parts MILLS, 1959, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Wales.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS

174

VOL. 12, APRIL1961