Characteristics of fiber suspension flow in a rectangular channel

Velocity profile of fiber suspension flow in a rectangular channel is measured by pulsed ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry (PUDV), and the effect of fiber concentration and Reynolds number on the shape of the velocity profile is investigated. Five types of flow behavior are observed when fiber concentration increases or flow rate decreases progressively. The turbulent velocity profiles of fiber suspension can be described by a correlation with fiber concentration, nl3, and Reynolds number, Re as the main parameters. The presence of fiber in the suspension will reduce the turbulence intensity and thus reduce the turbulent momentum transfer. On the other hand, fibers in the suspension have the tendency to form fiber networks, which will increase the momentum transfer. The relative contribution of these two types of momentum flux will determine the final shape of the velocity profile.