Flow Characteristics of Xylitol Slurry in a Horizontal Circular Tube

Abstract

In this study, the flow characteristics of the xylitol slurry, which is expected to be used as a heat storage and heat transport medium, in a horizontal circular tube were experimentally investigated. The experimental results showed that the flow of xylitol slurry can be classified into heterogeneous flow with sedimentation of xylitol particles and homogeneous flow with homogeneous dispersion of xylitol particles, depending on the ratio of the mean flow velocity to the terminal velocity of xylitol particles. Rheological properties of the xylitol slurry were investigated, and it was found that the xylitol slurry exhibits Newtonian-fluid behavior in the range of 5–15 wt% of solid fraction. It was also found that the apparent viscosity of xylitol slurry can reasonably be estimated by Einstein’s equation, Thomas’ equation and Mooney’s equation.