Non-Newtonian Two-Phase Flow in a Turbulent Pipe. (Dept. M)

The presented study in this paper is concerned with the performance of an orifice meter handling water-polymer solution, water-sand mixture (two-phase flow), and water-sand mixture with polymer additives (two-phase non-Newtonian flow). An ASME recommendation orifice meter was constructed and installed in a hydraulic circuit. Sand of different grain sizes (0.063-0.125, 0.125-0.25 and 0.25-0.5 mm) with concentrations 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1,5% by weight was tested. One type of polymers (polyacrylamid) was used with an average concentrations of 20, 30 and 40 wppm.  The results show that both polymer and sand concentrations affects the coefficient of discharge of the orifice meter. The coefficient of discharge was found to be increased with increasing polymer concentration, while increasing sand concentration decreases the coefficient of discharge. The used sand grain sizes has no effect on the coefficient of discharge.