An analytical and experimental investigation of three phase flow in airlift pumps used for diamondiferous marine gravel reclamation

This dissertation covers an investigation on airlift pumps operating in three phase flow. The investigation is specifically geared towards offshore diamond reclamation and the three phases considered are air, water and marine gravels. The purpose of the research was to develop an analytical technique to simulate mathematically an offshore airlift pump being used in the recovery of diamondiferous marine gravels. This analytical technique is incorporated into computer software which can be used to simulate prototype airlift installations in a CAD (computer aided design) environment. Extensive laboratory work has been conducted on both a 90 mm and 40 mm diameter airlift pump test facility. This investigation involved the measurement of specific components required for the theoretical simulation. Also monitored were airlift pump delivered outputs and behaviour under various operating conditions. Using this information, the proposed mathematical model was formulated, evaluated and compared with other mathematical models presented in the literature. The theoretical approach, which is based on a balance of external and internal pressures, proved successful and theoretically predicted solid and liquid output flow rates compared favourably with measured solid and liquid output flow rates. Furthermore, the computer software which was subsequently developed is presently being used in the diamond mining industry to model prototype airlift pumps. A sensitivity analysis was performed to establish the effect of all the variables used in the mathematical model.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Civil Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Berg, R Rainer

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lazarus, JH

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8298

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/8298