Identification of viscosity and solid fraction in slurry pipeline transportation based on the inverse heat transfer theory

A method based on the inverse heat transfer theory for identifying the viscosity coefficient and solid volume fraction of slurries is proposed in this study. An inverse heat convection problem for non-Newtonian fluid is solved in a fully developed laminar circular pipe flow based on temperature measurements obtained at several radial locations in the stream. An optimal estimation of the apparent viscosity of slurries is obtained by the relationship between temperature profile and apparent viscosity. The solid volume fraction in the pipe can be eventually determined through the applicable relation between solid loading and viscosity. Several experiments were conducted to verify the accuracy of the method. Coal-water slurry and coal-slime slurry were considered for the validation. Comparisons between the estimated values and experimental data showed that this method was reliable for predicting viscosity coefficient and solid fraction in slurry fluid. It is expected to be useful in detecting the rheological properties for determining operation mode of slurry pipelines.