Viscosity of slurries [1] Thomas (1965) formula

Data Ratio of viscosities (Thomas)

t= 32 C p / f = (1+2.5*Cv + 10.05*Cv^2+0.00273*Exp(16.6*Cv) )
Cw = 35.0 % Cv = 0.17 -
S = 2.7 t/m3 p / f = 1.73
L = 1.0 t/m 3

Pulp dynamic viscosity

Volume concentration p = p / w) * w
Cv = 1/ (1 +((100-Cw)/Cw)*s/L ) p / f = 1.73
Cw = 35.0 % w = #VALUE! Pa s
s = 2.7 t/m 3 p = #VALUE! Pa s
L = 1.0 t/m 3

Cv = 0.17 - Pulp density

P = L *SS / ( Cw + (1-Cw) * S
L = 1.0 t/m3
Water dynamic viscosity Cw = 0.35 -
t= 32 C Ss = 2.71 -
w=SaturatedWaterAbsoluteViscosity_t P = 1.28 t/m
w = #VALUE! Pa s
 Rev. cjc. 10.08.2016

Pulp kinematic viscosity

0.05*Cv^2+0.00273*Exp(16.6*Cv) ) p = p / P
p = #VALUE! Pa s
P = 1283 kg/m3
p = #VALUE! m/s

Kinematic viscosity using the function

P=Slurry_Kinem_Visc_Thomas_Cw_Ss_RhoL_t(Cw, Ss, RhoL, t)

Cw = 0.35 -
Ss = 2.71 -
L = 1000 kg/m
t= 32 C
p = #VALUE! m/s
w
+ (1-Cw) * SS )

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Viscosity ratio of slurries
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Viscosity [2]

1-5 DYNAMIC VISCOSITY OF A NEWTONIAN SLURRY MIXTURE

Although density is essentially a static property, absolute (or dynamic) viscosity

is a dynamic property and tends to reduce in magnitude as the shear rate in a
pipeline increases. Thus, engineers have had to define different forms of viscosity
over the years, everything from dynamic viscosity, to kinematic viscosity, to
effective pipeline viscosity.

The effective pipeline viscosity will be discussed in detail in Chapters 3, 4,

and 5. In this chapter, the reader is introduced to basic concepts of the mixture of
slurry in a stationary state. This is effectively what the pump, or a mixer, might
see at the start-up of a plant. As is often the case, when the driver cannot deliver
enough torque to overcome the absolute (or dynamic) viscosity, the operator is
forced to dilute the slurry mixture.

Plasticity as defined in Section 1-1-4 is an important parameter in determining

overall absolute (or dynamic) viscosity of a mixture of clay and water. There are,
however, numerous soils in nature, such as sand and water or gravel and water, in
which the solids contribute little to the overall absolute (or dynamic) viscosity,
except in terms of their concentration by volume.

1-5-1 Absolute (or Dynamic) Viscosity of Mixtures with Volume

Concentration Smaller Than 1%

For such solidliquid mixtures in diluted form, Einstein developed the following
formula for a linear relationship between absolute (or dynamic) viscosity and
volume concentration:

where
m = absolute (or dynamic) viscosity of the slurry mixture
L = absolute (or dynamic) viscosity of the carrying liquid
This is a very simple equation that is based on the following assumptions:
- Particles are fairly rigid
- The mixture is fairly dilute and there is no interaction between the particles
Such a flow is not encountered, except in laminar regimes of very dilute
concentrations (below a volume concentration of 1%).

1-5-2 Absolute (or Dynamic) Viscosity of Mixtures with Solids

with Volume Concentration Smaller than 20%

Thomas (1965) took the equation of Einstein further by calculating for higher
volumetric concentrations of Newtonian mixtures:

where K1, K2, K3, and K4 are constants

K1 is the Einstein constant of 2.5 (from Equation 1-7), and K2 has been found to
be in the range of 10.0514.1 according to Guth and Simha (1936). It is difficult to Frmula de Thomas
extrapolate the higher terms K3 and K4 in Equation 1-8. They are ignored with
p f 1 2.5 Cv 10.05
volumetric concentrations smaller than 20%.
p =
p :
1-5-3 Absolute (or Dynamic) Viscosity of Mixtures with High f :
Cv :
Volume Concentration of Solids
For higher concentrations, Thomas (1965) proposed the following equation with an Water properties (fluid f)
exponential function: t=
f =
Volumetric concentration
Cv =

Ratio of viscosities
p / f =
Cv =
p / f =
where
K2 = 10.05 Absolute viscosity of pulp
A = 0.00273 p =
B = 16.6 f =
Figure 1-9 is based on Equation 1-9 and is widely accepted in the slurry industry Cv =
for heterogeneous mixtures of a Newtonian rheology. p =

1-1-4 Plasticity of Soils

For clays and silts, an additional test for the liquid limit (LL) and the plastic limit
(PL) are recommended.

The liquid limit is defined as the moisture content in soil above which it starts to
act as a liquid and below which it acts as a plastic. To conduct a test, a sample of
clay is thoroughly mixed with water in a brass cup. The number of bumps required
to close a groove cut in the pot of clay in the cup is then measured. This test is
called the Atterberg test.

The plastic limit is defined as the limit below which the clay will stop behaving as
a plastic and will start to crumble. To measure such a limit, a sample of the soil is
formed into a tubular shape with a diameter of 3.2 mm (0.125 in) and the water
content is measured when the cylinder ceases to roll and becomes friable.
 Rev. cjc. 10.08.2016
m/L = 1 + 2.5 * (Cv /100) SSHB (1-7) Einstein formula
Cv = 1 %
m/L = 1.025 Valid for Cv < 1 %

This is a very simple equation that is based on the following assumptions:

- Particles are fairly rigid
- The mixture is fairly dilute and there is no interaction between the particles
Such a flow is not encountered, except in laminar regimes of very dilute concentrations
(below a volume concentration of 1%).

m/L = 1 + 2.5 * (Cv /100) + K2 * (Cv/100)^2 SSHB (1-8) Thomas (1965) formula
Cv = 16.58 %
K2 = 10.5 Valid for Cv < 20 %
m/L = 1.70 K3 and K4 are zero for Cv < 20 %
K2 is in the range 10.05 to 14.1
m/L = 1 + 2.5 * (Cv /100) + K2 * (Cv/100)^2
Cv = 19 %
K2 = 14.1
m/L = 1.98

m/L = 1 + K1 * (Cv /100) + K2 * (Cv/100)^2 +A * Exp(B*(Cv/100) )

Cv = 19 % SSHB (1-9) Thomas (1965) formula
K1 = 2.5
K2 = 10.05 Equation 1-9 is widely accepted in
A= 0.00273 the slurry industry for heterogeneous
B= 16.6 mixtures of a Newtonian rheology.
m/L = 1.90

Cv = 19 %
SVR = SlurryAbsViscosityRatio_SVR_Cv(I48)
SVR = #VALUE!

This equation is widely accepted in the slurry industry for heterogeneous mixtures of a Newtonian rheology.
Cv SVR
5 #VALUE! Slurry abs. viscosity ratio
10 #VALUE!
15 #VALUE! 12.00
20 #VALUE!
25 #VALUE! 10.00
SVR [-] .

30 #VALUE!
35 #VALUE!
8.00
40 #VALUE!

6.00

4.00
 12.00

10.00

SVR [-] .
8.00

45 #VALUE!
6.00
50 #VALUE!
55 #VALUE!
60 #VALUE! 4.00

2.00

0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Volum e concentration Cv [%]

rmula de Thomas Frmula de Wellman

p f 1 2.5 Cv 10.05 Cv2 0.00273 Exp(16.6 Cv )

Exp(10.4 Cv )
p f 8
C
f * (1+2.5*Cv + 10.05*Cv^2+0.00273*Exp(16.6*Cv) ) 1 v
0.62

Absolute viscosity of fluid (water)

Concentration by volume /1 p =

Water properties (fluid f) Water properties (fluid f)

32 C t=
#VALUE! Pa s f =
olumetric concentration Volumetric concentration
0.0017 /1 Cv =

atio of viscosities Ratio of viscosities

(1+2.5*Cv + 10.05*Cv^2+0.00273*Exp(16.6*Cv) ) p / f =
0.0017 /1 Cv =
1.01 p / f =

bsolute viscosity of pulp Absolute viscosity of pulp

f * (1+2.5*Cv + 10.05*Cv^2+0.00273*Exp(16.6*Cv) ) p =
#VALUE! Pa s f =
0.0017 /1 Cv =
#VALUE! Pa s p =
wtonian rheology.

ratio
 50 60 70
[%]

rmula de Wellman m/L = 1 + 2.5 * (Cv /100)

Exp(10.4 Cv ) JRI (2.2.3.a) Cv = 1
p f 8 m/L =
Cv Wellman(1977) formula 1.025
1
0.62
This is a very simple equation that is based on the fol
- Particles are fairly rigid
f * Exp(-10.4*Cv) / (1-Cv/0.62 )^8 - The mixture is fairly dilute and there is no interaction
Such a flow is not encountered, except in laminar reg
Water properties (fluid f) concentrations (below a volume concentration of 1%)
32 C
#VALUE! Pa s m/L = 1 + 2.5 * (Cv /100) + K
olumetric concentration Cv = 0.17
0.0017 /1 K2 = 10.5
m/L = 1.00
atio of viscosities
Exp(-10.4*Cv) / (1-Cv/0.62 )^8 m/L = 1 + 2.5 * (Cv /100) + K
0.0017 Cv = 19
1.00 K2 = 14.1
m/L = 1.98
bsolute viscosity of pulp
f * Exp(-10.4*Cv) / (1-Cv/0.62 )^8 m/L = 1 + K1 * (Cv /100) + K
#VALUE! Pa s Cv = 0.17
0.0017 /1 K1 = 2.5
#VALUE! Pa s K2 = 10.05
A= 0.00273
B= 16.6
m/L = 1.01
+ 2.5 * (Cv /100) SSHB (1-7) Einstein formula
%
Valid for Cv < 1 %

mple equation that is based on the following assumptions:

fairly dilute and there is no interaction between the particles

ot encountered, except in laminar regimes of very dilute
below a volume concentration of 1%).

+ 2.5 * (Cv /100) + K2 * (Cv/100)^2 SSHB (1-8) Thomas (1965) formula

%
Valid for Cv < 20 %
K3 and K4 are zero for Cv < 20 %
K2 is in the range 10.05 to 14.1
+ 2.5 * (Cv /100) + K2 * (Cv/100)^2
%

+ K1 * (Cv /100) + K2 * (Cv/100)^2 +A * Exp(B*(Cv/100) )

% SSHB (1-9) Thomas (1965) formula
JRI (2.2.3.a)
Equation 1-9 is widely accepted in
the slurry industry for heterogeneous
mixtures of a Newtonian rheology.
[1] Curso de transporte hidraulico de solidos
Tecnex (JR)

[2] Slurry systems handbook