Flow of molasses through pipe fittings at low Reynolds number

Examines the flow characterisation of molasses in four different pipe fittings at low Reynolds number.. This thesis examines the flow characterisation of molasses, a highly viscous non-Newtonian fluid, in four different pipe fittings at low Reynolds number. This flow condition of low Reynolds is typically encountered in sugar mills. The experimental results reveal that the current 2K method in use in the sugar industry substantially overestimates the actual losses at very low Reynolds number. New experimental data for these flows, are presented in this thesis to predict the head loss accurately and to improve design of pipework in sugar mills . Chapter 1 discusses the basic theory and constitutive equations to define Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids and their flows. The aims and plans for this study are also laid out here. Chapter 2 gives the details on selection of the fittings, the design and construction of the test rigs, experimental set up and the other technical details related to the equipment used in the experiment. Chapter 3 discusses experimental and test.procedure. It presents fluid preparation, fluid characterisation, flow induction, measurement of the flow rate. Chapter 4 presents calculation procedure and results of the experiments conducted on various fittings with molasses of different viscosity. Chapter 5 gives analysis and correlation of the experimental data. Chapter 6 presents the major conclusion drawn from this project and makes suggestions and proposals for further work in this area.