Análise da velocidade crítica de escoamento e estudo reológico de polpas de caulim da bacia do rio capim em dutos circulares

Abstract

The mineral industry represents a great economy state stimulator, and we can have as that industry highlights the kaolin beneficiation sector. The problem solutions related to that activity is a great opportunity to interact university and industry, besides that it’s a very fertile area to scientific development. A important point to be studied is the kaolin slurry flow inside pipelines and related equipments; problems as incrustation and pipeline pressure drop calculations weren’t still definitely resolved by the industry. In this context the present work consists in develop a methodology to calculate the flow parameters principally the necessary minimum velocity for the suspended particles do not deposit into the pipe. So the main purpose of this dissertation is to analyze, through the methodology implementation, the deposition velocity calculation during the slurry kaolin flow with different mass fraction (% in solid weight) into circular pipelines; from rheological studies done with samples taken from the beneficiation process; there by providing knowledge to the technicians and engineers that desire to design a slurry kaolin pump system; minimizing their problems with sub or super dimensioning, causing material deposition what represents production and environment hazardous whereas it will be necessary to open the pipeline to remove the material deposited due to the low flow velocity.