PRESSURE-DROP CORRELATION FOR GAS-SOLIDS FLOW THROUGH SIMILARITY ANALYSIS

A simple and reliable correlation for predicting the gas-solids flow pressure drop under dispersed phase flow conditions has been worked out using the principles of similarity and model theory. Starting with the requirement for dynamic similarity for two-phase flow, equations for the gas-solids friction factor and the Reynolds number have been developed, and the validity of this approach has been checked utilizing the available pressure drop data. The proposed correlation can be used to calculate the pressure drop of a solids-laden gas stream flowing in a pipe, knowing the gas Reynolds number and the solids-gas loading ratio.