the effect of the particle size distribution on non-newtonian turbulent ...

3.1 INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 3
EXPERIMENTAL WORK
The test work was conducted at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Cape Town's Hydrotransport Research
Facility. The test facilities used included a pumped recirculating pipe test rig known as <strong>the</strong>
East Rig and a pipeline rig known as <strong>the</strong> Mini Rig.
In large scale pipe testing (as used for this study), slurry is pumped in a looped circuit
normally consisting <strong>of</strong> two pipe diameters, over a wide range <strong>of</strong> velocities. This is done in
order to measure <strong>the</strong> behaviour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> slurry (rheology) and <strong>the</strong> turbulent pipe flow head loss
which are needed in designing a piping system. Rheological data which is obtained from
laminar flow data can be used to predict turbulent pipe flow head loss (Slatter, 1994).
The test facilities which were used consisted in total <strong>of</strong> four different pipe diameters namely
a 25mm, 80mm, l50mm and 200mm nominal bore. Slurries were tested at mean velocities
ranging froI11 O,lrn/s to 6.2rn/s. Slurries tested included kaolin clay, a mixture <strong>of</strong>kaolin clay
and rock flour (mixture 1) and a mixture <strong>of</strong> kaolin clay, rock flour and silica sand (mixture
2) at varying ratios.
3.2 TESTING FACILITIES
3.2.1 The East Rig
Figure 3.1 depicts a schematic diagram <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pumped recirculating pipe test rig.
(a) Pump Specification
Slurry is supplied to <strong>the</strong> East Rig by a four bladed Ma<strong>the</strong>r and Platt 8x6, solids
handling pump, which is driven by a variable speed hydraulic drive (Figure 3.2).