Plug Flow of Coarse Particles in a Horizontal Pipe

Plug flow of coarse particles was investigated experimentally in a horizontal pipe, in which a sub-pipe for secondary air injection was installed. Measurements were made about the plug motion, pressure drop, and transportation properties, and the roles of the main and sub-pipe air flow were clarified. The main air flow increases the number of plugs, while the sub-pipe air flow increases the plug velocity. The higher the main pipe air flow rate, the more regular the motion. The height of a stationary layer of deposited particles, which is built on the bottom of the main pipe, decreases with increasing the sub-pipe air flow rate. The pressure drop in the moving plug is quantitatively much smaller than that in the stationary packed bed of same particles.