A Mathematical Model for Concentric
Horizontal Lapsule 1ransport
H . H . van den Kroonenberg
Mechanical Engineering Department, Twente University of Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands
For designing capsule pipeline systems the designer needs
preferably simple mathematical models, to make quick cal-
culations of the main characteristics of the system. For this
purpose an easy to handle mathematical model for horizontal
concentric capsule flow is proposed. In this model separate
friction coefficients for the moving capsule wall and the
pipe wall are introduced. These friction coefficients can be
taken from the Moody chart. In the model only relatively
long capsules are considered so that end effects can be neg-
lected. The model gives expressions for the capsule velocity
and the pressure difference across the capsule. Test results
are in good agreement with the proposed model.
Motivation
D uring th e last few years a great number of papers
on capsule pipeline transport were published.
Some of these papers deal with horizontal capsule
pipelining a s a possible means of transporting several
commodities economically over long distances2. In
Ither papers theoretical and experimental analysis a r e
Brried out to establish and to check models f o r
apsule pipeline
A very important subject is the annular flow be-
iween pipe wall and capsule wall and several at-
;empts are made to determine the friction and the
jressure drop by fundamental analysi~~*~.
This paper is a report of the work carried out in
his field in the Mechanical Engineering Department
in the Twente University of Technology in Enschede,
!?he Netherlands. The aim of these activities is di-
oectly focused on the design of working capsule
jipeline systems. For designing capsule pipeline sys-
iems the designer needs mathematical models to pre-
lict amongst others capsule velocities, pressure drops
md energy requirements. These mathematical models
weferably have to be as simple a s possible to enable
engineers to make quick calculations of the main
:haracteristics of the system.
This is not only important for long horizontal
apsule pipelines, but also for vertical pipelines. Ver-
:ical capsule flow is a potential conveying method
3specially for transporting ore from the sea bottom
:o the sea surface and from deep shaft mines to the
zarth surface. So f a r only a few results on the
levelopment of vertical capsule systems for this pur-
lose have been p~blished.(~-.
I n this paper only concentric horizontal capsule
[low is considered a s is the case when equal density
:ylinders a r e transported through pipelines.
The theory can easily be modified to vertical capsule
transport in case the vertical flow is considered as a
:oncentric capsule flow.
The potential application of both horizontal as
Fell as vertical capsule pipelining is so important
that time has come to emphasize the design of com-
rlonents for these systems. For this purpose easy-to-
538 The Canadian Iournal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 56, October, 1978
Le concepteur de systltnies de pipe-lines pour capsules a
besoin de modhles mathkmatiques simples pour pouvoir cal-
culer rapidement les principales caractkristiques de ces sys-
tknies. On propose, B cette fin, un modkle mathCmatique de
inaiiipulation facile pour un Ccoulement horizontal de capsules
concentriques; on introduit dans ce modkle des coefficients de
friction distincts pour les parois des capsules mobiles et celles
des tuyaux. Incidemment, on peut obtenir ces coefficients de
friction B partir du diagramme de Moody. On ne considtre,
dans le modkle eu question, que des capsules relativement
longues, de manifhe B pouvoir nCgliger les effets des extrk-
mitb. Le mod6le permet dobtenir des expressions pour la
vitesse des capsules et pour la diffkrence de pression de part
et dautre de celles-ci. Les rksultats des essais concordent bien
avec ceiix du mod6le propose.
handle calculation methods a r e required.
Assumptions
To arrive at a simple but realistic mathematical
model several assumptions have to be made. In Fig-
ure 1 the concentric capsule flow in a horizontal pipe
is depicted. This can be achieved when the density
of the capsule equal& t h e density of the fluid. In
the horizontal pipeline a turbulent water flow with
bulk velocity v b is maintained. The following condi-
tions are assumed:
- the capsule is relatively long so t h a t end effects
can be neglected.
- The pressure in each cross section of the pipe
i s constant.
- Only turbulent flow is considered.
- The actual velocity profiles in the pipe and in
the annulus a r e neglected and only mean ve-
locities are taken into account.
- Separate friction coefficients for the pipe wall
and the capsule wall a r e considered.
- Wall friction is taken to be proportional to the
square of the mean velocity.
- Concentric capsule flow is supposed to be main-
tained in the pipe.
- The capsule density equals the fluid density.
With these assumptions in the next sections a
mathematical model is formulated.
Mathematical model for concentric flow
Flow patterns
According to Figure 1. The following general equa-
tion can be derived for the flow around the capsule:
We now define the dimensionless symbol :
k = d/D
 L
v, I r 1

~~ II II f Id
I
I"

I 1
'0 va

Figure 1 - Assumed bulk velocity, annular velocity and capsule

velocity in a horizontal pipeline with concentric capsule flow.
Figure 2 -Left side: Pressure force and shear force acting
on water element in normal pipe flow; Right side, upper part:
With Equation ( 1 ) Equation ( 2 ) can be modified Pressure and shear force acting on capsule; Right side lower
into : part: Pressure and shear force acting on water element in
vb 21, k' + no ( 1 - h 2 ) , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) annulus.
From this equation follows :
This expression can be modified by inserting (2)
*-
'

uo = Uh Vc
- k'
k2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and ( 6 ) :
(4)

We shall express the annular velocity wa always via

bulk velocity ub and the capsule velocity vc.
S h e a r stresses
Capsule equilibrium
We now have to find a n expression f o r the shear
The capsule equilibrium f o r concentric capsule flow stresses rP and rC in which t h e relative velocity along
is depicted in t h e upper p a r t of the r i g h t side of the walls and the friction coefficient A appear.
Figure 2. The capsule is subject to two kinds of The wall friction coefficient A f o r t h e pipe wall a n d
forces: a force due to t h e pressure difference across for t h e capsule wall a r e supposed to have different
t h e capsule and a shear force on t h e cylindrical wall values depending on the Re-number.
of the capsule. As the pressure force i s directed to F o r a turbulent flow in a pipe the expression for
t h e right, t h e shear force has to be directed t o t h e the pressure-drop can be written as :
left side. This can only be the case when t h e capsule
velocity i s greater thaw the water velocity in the x1 1 pu2.
annulus. np = --
D
--
2 ...... .....
The situation shown in Figure 2 leads to t h e fol-
lowing equation : According to t h e left side of Figure 2 the relation
between wall friction and pressure drop can be ex-
7r
--.-d' ap = 7r d IT, pressed as:
4 (5)
7r
We now introduce the following dimensionless sym- Ap - 0' = T D 17.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(11)
4
bol :
From the combination of Equations (10) and (11)
I* = l/D (6) follows :
With t h e expressions ( 2 ) and (6) Equation (5)
can be written a s : . (12)

np = 4 7, I* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (.7 )
k I n accordance with this general expression we now
define the shear stress due to t h e wall friction along
Annulus equilibrium the pipe wall and along t h e capsule wall as follows:
The situation in the annulus is depicted i n the x,p '
,
0
lower p a r t of t h e right side of Figure 2. I n this TP = ~ ................................... (13)
f i g u r e t h e water in t h e annulus is shown and all
forces acting on this water element a r e indicated. Due and
to the flow in t h e annulus friction occurs along the
capsule wall 7. Because in this case t h e capsule . (14)
velocity is greater t h a n t h e annular velocity t h e
friction force on t h e water element due t o the capsule With t h e expression (14) we can modify Equation
velocity i s directed to t h e right, while t h e friction (7) as follows:
force on t h e same water element due to t h e static
pipe wall is directed to t h e left. These friction forces
a r e balanced by the pressure difference across t h e Ap= ~ '* (0, - v.)~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (15)
capsule.
Taking the above considerations into account, t h e Rearranging and inserting (4) in this equation re-
annulus equilibrium can be formulated as follows : sults in a n expression f o r t h e pressure drop:

27r- (D' - d ' ) Ap = T, T D1- 7,T d I . . . . . . . . . . . . (8)

The Canadian Iournal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 5 6 , October, I978 539

a
Figure 3 -Determination of in, A, and
A, in a Moody diagram depending on
Re,, Re, and Re, for smooth pipe wall
and smooth capsule wall.

We now define duced to :

w = x,/x, ...................................... . (17) A.p= M 21
D .- Pub2

By inserting Equations (131, (14) and (17) we can

+ - 2k2 fi
modify Equation (9) as follows:
X,P 1* k ( w va2 - (of - ~ , ) ~ k l. . .. . . . . . .(18)
{ (1 WkS)
(1 - W k 6 ) Y
.................... (24i

= 2 (1 - k 2 ) Further reduction is possible. by putting

Inserting Equation (4) in this equation results in np= i.-
xD1 21 p u b 2
an expression for the pressure drop:
(1 - k w z ) 2
.......
(1 - k2 (1 + k2 )
6 ~ *w)2 ~
This results into:
v,' ( ~ k 4- k) + 2VtVb(k-wk2) + vb2 ( w - k )
(1 - k 2 ) 2

Capsule velocity
We now have two expressions for the pressure dif- Verification of the themy
ference across the capsule e.g. Equations (16) and
(19). The determination of the wall friction coefficient
Combining Equations (16) and (19) results into: For normal pipe flow there is a relation between
{ vCz (wk4 - k ) $- 2VcVb(k - k2W) 1)b2 (+ W - k))k the Re number and the wall friction coefficient. I n
+
= ( u , ~- 2vCvb vb2) (1 - k z ) . . . . . .(20) the foregoing derivations the wall friction coefficients
A. and Ap are defined in the same way as for normal
This can be reduced to: pipe flow. This means that. the wall friction coef-
V.* (1 - Wk') - 2vcvb (1 - w k S ) + 8b2 (1 - w k ) = 0 (21) ficient and the mean velocity for the flow in the
annulus has to be related to a characteristic length;
From this equation the capsule velocity can be the hydraulic diameter.
solved : I n several publications this has been done for a n
annular flow with motionless walls. This results in
+ (1 - k2) 1/ w k
8, = Vb
J ( 1 - Wk')
\ (1 - Wk6) -1 . . . . . . . . . . .( 2 2 ) one value of t h e wall friction coefficient for both
the capsule wall and the pipe wall in the annulus,
in case the characteristic length is taken the same
Pressure difference for the flow in relation to the capsule wall and in
With the equation for the capsule velocity (Equa- relation to the pipe wall"4'. In fact the characteristic
tion (22) ) the pressure difference (Equation (19) ) length could be determined more accurately by taking
can be expressed as a function of the bulk velocity w~b. into account the velocity profile in the annulus. As
After some rearranging this results into : the actual velocity profiles in the annulus are ne-
glected and only mean velocities are taken into account
the characteristic length for the annular flow related
to the capsule wall and related to the pipe wall is
(1 + wk6) - 2k2 dkw ..................... equal to (I-k) D being the hydraulic diameter.
In case one of the walls is moving, the mean velocity
(1 - Wk')'
in the annulus in relation t o the moving capsule dif-
By using Equation (2) and (17) this can be re- fers from the mean velocity in the annulus related

540 The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 56, October, 1978
R" t +?I 0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

K
0.2
Figure 5 - The pressure ratio R, versus k for 3 different values
0 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

d of w.
K
Figure 4 -The velocity ratio R, versus k for 3 different values
of w. length is 2.64 m. This length is enough in relation to
the diameter to justify the neglection of entrance
to the pipe wall. This results in different Re num- and exit losses. Meamrements were carried out at
bers for the pipe wall in the annulus and for the various k-values and bulk velocities
moving capsule wall. We therefore define the fol- In Table 1 a number of test results is given 88
lowing three Re numbers : well as data calculated from these test results. Meas-
F o r the normal pipe flow we have the existing surements were made in the region between R=0,8
relation and k = 0,95. At high k-values ( k = 0,95) the Re
numbers tend to be so small that no longer turbulent
Re, =
%D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (27)
- flow can be considered. For that reason only test
results resulting in R e numbers exceeding 2000 are
For the annular flow in relation to the pipe wall taken into account.
The expressions wh:ich are most suitable for verifi-
we can define: cation are the velocity ratio R, and the pressure ratio
u ~ (1
D - k', &. The velocity ratio is defined as the ratio be-
Re, =
Y
.............................. (28) tween the caspule velocity and the bulk velocity.
R, = V , / Z I ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (30)
For the annular flow in relation to the capsule wall
we can writs: The pressure ratio is defined as the ratio between
the pressure drop ApCacross the capsule and the pres-
Re, = (uc - 0
.
) D (1- k ) .........................(29) sure drop np,, across a tube section of the same length
Y as the capsule in the normal undisturbed pipe flow.
In these expressions D(1-k) is the hydraulic dia- R,= APcIl
nPnll
meter, vo is the mean velocity of the annular flow in
~

................................... .(31)
relation to the pipe wall, (vc-v.J is the mean
velocity of the annular flow in relation to the capsule With expression (22) the velocity ratio can be
wall and Y is the kinematic viscosity. When the Re written as follows:
numbers are known it is possible to select the cor-
responding X-value in the Moody diagram. The meas-
urements resulted in data for v b and ve. From these
Re = { (1 - kDw) f (1 - k 2 ) d k w
(1 - k520) -1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .(32)

test results the corresponding value of va and (vc- In Figure 4 R, is shown depending of k and w.
va) can be calculated. Because the dimensions of the From this figure follows that the capsule velocity
caspule and the pipe are known the hydraulic diameter can be considerably higher than the bulk velocity.
can be established while by measuring the fluid tem- To formulate the pressure ratio we use the well known
perature the kinematic viscosity of the fluid can be expression for the pressure drop in a normal pipe
determined. By working in this way with distinct flow in which a mean velocity Vb is maintained.
Re numbers it is possible t o use the Re-X data known
from the Moody diagram, according Figure 3. XI 1
npn =
D
-
2
pub'. ........................... (33)
The measurements
Numerous measurements on a horizontal c a p d e With Equations (26) and (33) the pressure ratio
pipeline circuit were made by J. DuI"'' in the labora- can be expressed :
tory of the Mechanical Engineering Department of
the Twente University of Technology. The pipeline . . . . . . I(34)
diameter of the circuit is 0.07 m and the capsule

The Canadian Tournu2 of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 56, October, 1978 541
 TABLE
I
MEASURED DATA. Ub, Yo Ap,,/Ap, FOR DIFFERENT VALUES OF DIAMETER RATIO k , RESULTING IN VALUES FOR U,/Vb, V,,,
(U. - U d AND Apc/APn

Capsule length: 1 = 2,64m Fipe diameter : D = 0.07m

~e-va) APn/l APoll APc/AP, D(1 - k ) T V d

~ _ _ _ ~ -___ -____
03 0,86 0,95 1,108 0,46 0,49 106 79 0,74 0.007 2;,5 0,92X 10-6 0,063
0,9 1,11 1,23 1,109 0,60 0,63 167 116 0,69
03 1.36 1,50 1,108 0,73 0,77 239 161 0,67
0,9 1.60 1,77 1,100 0,91 0,86 316 208 0,66
0,9 1,81 1,99 1,099 1,04 0,95 389 241 0,62
-____
0,85 0,78 0,89 1,143 0,49 0,40 89 60 0,68 0,0105 20,8 0,98X 10-6 0,0595
0,85 1,13 1,30 1,144 0,71 0.59 171 113 0,66
0,85 1,55 1,79 1,151 0,94 0,85 298 189 0,63
0,85 1,90 2,17 1,147 1,17 1,OO 431 280 0,65
0,85 2,31 2,65 1,144 1,45 1.20 608 397 0,65
08 0.72 0,85 1,185 0,48 0,37 79 59 0,74 0,014 18.5 1.03X 10-6 0,056
0,8 1,16 1,38 1,187 0,78 0.60 186 127 0,68
0,8 1,52 1,81 1,184 1,02 0,79 297 202 0,68
08 1,85 2,18 1,183 1,24 0,94 415 287 0,69
04 2,11 2,50 1,183 1,42 1,08 528 359 0,68
- m /see m/sec - m/sec m/sec N/m3 1 N/m3

TABLE2
CALCULATED VALUES FOR Re NUMBERS Re,, Re, AND Re, ACCORDING TO FORMULAS (27),(28),(29)AND CORRES-
x,
PONDING FRICTION COEFFICIENTS in, AND A, TAKEN FROM THE MOODY CHART ACCORDING FIGURE3.
THECALCULATED VALUES FOR u c / v b AND Ap,/Apn ACCORDING TO (a>!)(34)
, ARE COM-
PARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING MEASURED VALUES FROM TABLE 1.

Capsule length: I = 2,64m Pipe diameter: D = 0,07m

__
x* x, x c APc APn
Vb Re, Re, Moody Moody Moody calcul.
__ __
3500

1 1
1 I
036 64852 3728 0,0197 0,0420 0,0410 1.024 1.108 1.102 0,74 0,68
1,11 84138 4565 4793 0,0184 0,0380 0,0378 1,005 11109 11103 0,69 0,66
1,36 102685 5554 5859 0,0179 0,0361 0,0359 1,006 1,103 0.67 0.64
1,60 121545 6924 6543 0.0173 0,0340 0,0350 0,97 1.100 0,66 0.66
1,81 137244 7913 7228 0,0166 0,0325 0,0335 0,97 1,099 1,102 0,62 0,64
__ ____
0,85 0,78 55714 5250 4286 0,0205 0,0370 0,0400 0,925 1,143 1,150 0,68 0,67
0,85 1,13 80714 7607 6321 0,0188 0,0330 0,0350 0.943 1,144 1,150 0,66 0,65
0.85 1,55 110714 10071 9107 0,0175 0,0300 0,0318 0.943 1,151 1,150 0,63 0,63
035 1,90 135714 12536 10714 0,0167 0,0290 0,0305 0,951 1,147 1,152 0,65 0,64
0,85 2,31 165000 15536 12875 0,0160 0,0273 0,0291 0,938 1,144 1,152 0.65 0,63
-____~__
0,72 48906 6524 5029 0,0210 0,0350 0,0370 0,946 1,185 1,200 0,74 0,69
1,16 79582 10602 8155 O,Clu2 0,0315 0,0237 0,963 1,187 1,202 0,68 0,68
1,52 104224 13864 10738 0.0180 0,0283 0,0310 0,931 1,184 1,200 0,68 0,66
1,85 126203 16854 12777 0,0170 0,0268 0,0291 0,921 1,183 1,199 0,69 0,66
2,11 144503 19301 14680 0,0166 0,0262 0,0275 0,920 1.183 1,200 0.68 0.66
__ -_____
m/
sec - -
__ _ _ _
~
- I - I -

By putting value of R, and R, can be determined. Starting with

the
A,/ A, = u......................................(35) relevant velocities and hydraulic diameters the
R0 number can be determined for all the different
this can be written as: situations and the corresponding wall friction coef-
ficient can be looked up in the Moody diagram.
Because the pipe and the capsule can be considered
as smooth the A-value is taken from the smooth pipe
In Figure 5 R,lu is shown depending on R and w. curve. This is demonstrated in Figure 3.
It follows from Figure 5 that the pressure drop With Xp and A, the value of w can be calculated.
required to move a capsule can be considerably less By using t h e values w and k the ratios R, and R,
than the pressure drop required to maintain a normal can be determined from the expressions (32) and
pipe flow. (33). These results a r e shown in Table 2. In the
By using the measurement data from Table 1 the same table the measured values of R, and Rp are in-

542 The Canadian Iournal of Chemical Enginemng, Vol. 56, October, 1978
dicated, thus enabling a direct comparison of the
results, From this, comparison it follows t h a t the
measured and the calculated value of R, and R, a r e
so close that i t can be stated that the simplifying
assumptions used to formulate the mathematical
model can ,be justified.
Conclusions and recommendations
In the foregoing theoretical investigation of cap-
sule transport some assumptions were made to arrive
ab an easy-to-handler mathematical model for equal
density capsule flow.
This mathematical model has been checked by ex-
periments in order tol investigate whether the as-
sumptions are allowed or not. The main contribution
to existing capsule pipeline flow theory is the in-
troduction of separate wall friction coefficients for
pipeline wall and capsule wall. Test results show that
this approach proves to be in good agreement with
the proposed theory. The fact t h a t existing data on
friction coefficients according the Moody chart can
he used makes i t possible for designers of horizontal
pipeline systems to predict capsule velocities, pressure
drops and energy requirements. The theory is only
valid for relatively long capsules, which is the case
when long capsule trains move in horizontal pipe-
lines. Because theory and test results are in good
agreement this model can be used as a starting point
for further development into more refined models.
An extension of the theory for short capsules in-
cluding entrance and exit losses is required. This is
of importance f o r vertical capsule transport where
a concentric capsule flow also can be achieved with
unequal density capsules. Laboratory tests with ver-
tically flowing short capsules have already been
started and the results will be available in the near
future.
Nomenclature
D = pipe diameter [m]
The Canadian Iournal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 56, October, 1978
= Reynolds number [ -I
=
=
Re number in annulus related to capsule wall [
Re number for normal flow [ - ]
-
= Re number in annulus related to pipe wall [ - 1
= pressure ratio Afjc/APn [ - 1
= velocity ratio v , / r b [ - ]
= capsule diameter Iml
= diameter ratio d / D [ - 1
= capsule length I m I
= relative capsule length Z/D [ - 1
= friction coefficient ratio Xp/X, [ - I
= velocity [m sec-I
= annular velocity Im sec-l]
= bulk velocity [m sec-1
= friction coefficient ratio X /Ac [ - I
= pressure difference [Nm-zf
= pressure difference over capsule section [Nm-%
= pressure difference over pipe section [Nm-21
= friction coefficient [ - I
= friction coefficient on capsule wall [ - I
= friction coefficient on pipe wall [ - 1
= friction coefficient on pipe wall in annulus [ - I
= kinematic viscosity [mZsec-1
= fluid density [kg. m-l
= shear stress [Nm-2]
= shear stress on capsule wall [Nm-*]
= shear stress on pipe wall [Nm-*]
References
(1) Hodpson, G. W., Bolt, L. H., Eng. J. 45. 12, 25-30 (1962).
( 2 ) Jensen, E. J.. Proc. Hsrdrotransport 3 Paper GI. BHRA Golden
USA (1974).
(3) Hodpson,
(19R.1) G. W., Charlea, M. E., Can. J. Chem. Eng. 41, 43-16
, .
Ellis. H. S., Can. J. Chem. Eng. 42. 1-8 (1964).
Ellis. H. S.. Can. J. Chem Enn. 42. 69-76 (1964).
Gar& V. K.. Round, G. F., Th>rnmo. and Fluid Me&. Conv..
DaDer 31. Glnaeow (19711.
KGyer. 2.. &g V.--K.; The pressure and couette flow in a
capsule pipeline &tern. Alberta Remearch Inform. series. no. 68.
10-30 Febr. (1973).
ElliaH S Kruyer J Can. J. Chem Eng. 62, 467-462 (1874).
Chah3, M, A.. Cin .kChem. Eng. 41, 43-46 (1963).
Kennedy, R. J., Can. i. Chem. Eng: 44. 354-366 (1966).
Latta. B.. Round. G . F.. Alv. S. L.. Pmc. Evdrotransoort 4
Selbstverlaa. Berlin PlB70).
Tiedt W.-.Technischer Bericht nu. 4 Institut fur Ifydrpnlik
und Hydrologic der Technische Hochscdnle Darmstadt (1968).
Dul. J.. Internal Report B-27. Mech. Eng. Dept. Twente Univ.
Tech. Netherlands (1976).
Manuscript received Januaw 12. 1978 : accepted for publieation
June 26. 1978.
* * *
543