Laminar flow of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors: Flow patterns and pressure drop correlation

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.06.009

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 87 ›› Issue (11): 140-156.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.06.009

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Laminar flow of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors: Flow patterns and pressure drop correlation

Xiaoyi Qiu¹, Xuesong Wang¹, Jie Jiang¹, Yuning Zhou¹, Wenze Guo^1,2, Zhenhao Xi^1,3, Ling Zhao^1,3, Weikang Yuan^1,3

1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China;
3. State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Low-Carbon Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China

Received:2025-04-12 Revised:2025-06-06 Accepted:2025-06-06 Online:2025-07-04 Published:2025-11-28
Contact: Zhenhao Xi,E-mail:zhhxi@ecust.edu.cn
Supported by:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Science and Technology Major Project of China (2024XXXXX2700), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22408099), the Key Research and Development Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (2022B01032), and the National Ten Thousand Talents Program.

Laminar flow of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors: Flow patterns and pressure drop correlation

Xiaoyi Qiu¹, Xuesong Wang¹, Jie Jiang¹, Yuning Zhou¹, Wenze Guo^1,2, Zhenhao Xi^1,3, Ling Zhao^1,3, Weikang Yuan^1,3

1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Materials Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China;
3. State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Low-Carbon Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China

通讯作者: Zhenhao Xi,E-mail:zhhxi@ecust.edu.cn
基金资助:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Science and Technology Major Project of China (2024XXXXX2700), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22408099), the Key Research and Development Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (2022B01032), and the National Ten Thousand Talents Program.

Abstract

Abstract: This study presents a theoretical and experimental analysis of laminar flow behavior of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors. Theoretical models are derived to describe velocity profiles, shear rate distribution, and pressure drop across specific channels. Modified pressure drop models are proposed based on experiments on 6 kinds of non-Newtonian fluids and 3 types of bifurcation channel distributors with different transition areas. Specifically, the deviations between the theoretical models and the experimental results are systematically analyzed, and models were modified with correction coefficients based on Reynolds number and dimensionless shape factor. The theoretical results, modified results and experimental data are compared and discussed to ensure the accuracy of the modified models, demonstrating a significant improvement in the prediction of pressure drops for high-viscous non-Newtonian fluids in certain types of bifurcation channels. Additional experiments and analyses were carried out to validate the modified models and the results suggest that the models offer a certain degree of universal applicability in bifurcation channel designs. It implies that for other types of bifurcation channel distributors, similar correction methods based on Reynolds number and shape factor may also be applicable even with different coefficients.

Key words: Distributor, Flow resistance, Pressure drop, Power-law fluids, Bingham fluids, Laminar flow

摘要： This study presents a theoretical and experimental analysis of laminar flow behavior of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors. Theoretical models are derived to describe velocity profiles, shear rate distribution, and pressure drop across specific channels. Modified pressure drop models are proposed based on experiments on 6 kinds of non-Newtonian fluids and 3 types of bifurcation channel distributors with different transition areas. Specifically, the deviations between the theoretical models and the experimental results are systematically analyzed, and models were modified with correction coefficients based on Reynolds number and dimensionless shape factor. The theoretical results, modified results and experimental data are compared and discussed to ensure the accuracy of the modified models, demonstrating a significant improvement in the prediction of pressure drops for high-viscous non-Newtonian fluids in certain types of bifurcation channels. Additional experiments and analyses were carried out to validate the modified models and the results suggest that the models offer a certain degree of universal applicability in bifurcation channel designs. It implies that for other types of bifurcation channel distributors, similar correction methods based on Reynolds number and shape factor may also be applicable even with different coefficients.

关键词: Distributor, Flow resistance, Pressure drop, Power-law fluids, Bingham fluids, Laminar flow

Xiaoyi Qiu, Xuesong Wang, Jie Jiang, Yuning Zhou, Wenze Guo, Zhenhao Xi, Ling Zhao, Weikang Yuan. Laminar flow of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors: Flow patterns and pressure drop correlation[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025, 87(11): 140-156.

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Laminar flow of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors: Flow patterns and pressure drop correlation

Laminar flow of high-viscous non-Newtonian power-law and Bingham fluids in multiple structural bifurcation channel distributors: Flow patterns and pressure drop correlation

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