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A New Method of Selecting the Airlift Pump Optimum Efficiency at Low Submergence Ratios with the Use of Image Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Grzegorz Ligus

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, ul. Mikołajczyka 5, 45-271 Opole, Poland)

  • Daniel Zając

    (Kelvion Sp. z o.o.., ul. Kobaltowa 2, 45-641 Opole, Poland)

  • Maciej Masiukiewicz

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, ul. Mikołajczyka 5, 45-271 Opole, Poland)

  • Stanisław Anweiler

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, ul. Mikołajczyka 5, 45-271 Opole, Poland)

Abstract

This paper presents experimental studies on the optimization of two-phase fluid flow in an airlift pump. Airlift pumps, also known as mammoth pumps, are devices applied for vertical transport of liquids with the use of gas. Their operating principle involves the existence of a density gradient. This paper reports the results of experimental studies into the hydrodynamic effects of the airlift pump. The studies involved optical imaging of two-phase gas-liquid flow in a riser pipe. The visualization was performed with high-speed visualization techniques. The studies used a transparent model of airlift pump with a rectangular cross-section of the riser. The assessment of the airlift pump operation is based on the image grey-level analysis to provide the identification of two-phase flow regimes. The scope of the study also involved the determination of void fraction and pressure drops. The tests were carried out in a channel with dimensions 35 × 20 × 2045 mm with the gas flux range 0.2–15.0 m 3 /h. For the assessment of the two-phase flow pattern Probability Density Function (PDF) was applied. On the basis of the obtained results, a new method for selecting the optimum operating regime of airlift pump was derived. This method provides the finding of stability and efficiency of liquid transport. It can also be applied to determine the correlation between the total lifting efficiency and the required gas flux for proper operation of the airlift pump.

Suggested Citation

  • Grzegorz Ligus & Daniel Zając & Maciej Masiukiewicz & Stanisław Anweiler, 2019. "A New Method of Selecting the Airlift Pump Optimum Efficiency at Low Submergence Ratios with the Use of Image Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:4:p:735-:d:208378
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tarek A. Ganat & Meftah Hrairi, 2018. "Gas–Liquid Two-Phase Upward Flow through a Vertical Pipe: Influence of Pressure Drop on the Measurement of Fluid Flow Rate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Dan Qi & Honglan Zou & Yunhong Ding & Wei Luo & Junzheng Yang, 2018. "Engineering Simulation Tests on Multiphase Flow in Middle- and High-Yield Slanted Well Bores," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xinfeng Ge & Jing Zhang & Jian Zhang & Demin Liu & Yuan Zheng & Huixiang Chen, 2022. "Review of Research on the Three-Dimensional Transition Process of Large-Scale Low-Lift Pump," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-34, November.
    2. Francesco Calise & Maria Vicidomini & Mário Costa & Qiuwang Wang & Poul Alberg Østergaard & Neven Duić, 2019. "Toward an Efficient and Sustainable Use of Energy in Industries and Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-28, August.
    3. Maciej Masiukiewicz & Stanisław Anweiler, 2021. "Precise Evaluation of Gas–Liquid Two-Phase Flow Pattern in a Narrow Rectangular Channel with Stereology Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, May.
    4. Daniel Chludziński & Michał Duda, 2020. "A New Concept and a Test of a Bubble Pump System for Passive Heat Transport from Solar Collectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, March.

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