Abstract: This work aims to numerically investigate the performance of airlift pump, lifting solid particles, under a variety of conditions. A numerical model of airlift pump based on the concept of momentum balance was developed and validated against available experimental data. Parametric predictive studies of the effects of solid particles conditions on model airlift pump performance were carried out. The predicted results showed that the solid particles volumetric concentration in the suction section of the airlift tube would significantly affect the airlift pump efficiency based on solids as the main gain of the pump. On the other hand, larger diameters of solid particles and higher input airflow rates would have a negative effect on the pump performance.

Keywords: Airlift pump, Performance study, Two-phase flow, Three-phase flow

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