GAS HOLDUP AND PRESSURE DROP IN THREE-PHASE VERTICAL FLOWS OF GAS-LIQUID-FINE SOLID PARTICLES SYSTEM

To obtain information on the hydrodynamics of gas-liquid-fine solid particles flow systems, gas holdup and pressure drop in vertical upflow and downflow tubes were measured at comparatively high fluid velocities. The following experimental results were obtained. 1) Within the range of experimental conditions, gas holdups in vertical upflow tubes are independent of tube diameter, average size and concentration of solid particles. 2) Frictional pressure drops in vertical upflow tubes are independent of the average size of solid particles, but increase with the concentration of solid particles. 3) Gas holdup in vertical downflow tubes, except at low gas and high slurry velocities, are independent of tube diameter, average size and concentration of solid particles. 4) Frictional pressure drops in vertical downflow tubes are independent of the average size of solid particles, but increase with the concentration of solid particles.