To accurately calculate the filling flow rate and on-way resistance of non-Newtonian fluid filling slurry in different working conditions and to guide filling engineering practice

the flow behavior of non-Newtonian fluid filling slurry in pipeline was studied. Firstly

according to rheology and fluid mechanics theory

the flow state of filling slurry in the pipeline was analyzed

and the critical condition of laminar flow in non-Newtonian fluid pipeline transportation was determined. Then

the approximate pipe flow equation was deduced

which greatly reduced the amount of calculation and simplified the calculation process. Finally

the non-Newtonian fluid filling slurry with mass concentration of 71% and cement content of 11% was prepared from the total tailings of copper concentrator and 325 Portland cement. Loop test was carried out based on the established non-Newtonian fluid pipeline flow equation and approximate pipeline flow equation

and the yield stress τB

consistency coefficient K

and power exponent n were calculated by the exact solution and approximate solution

respectively. Results show that when R was 0.75 m

L was 26 m

and ΔP were 152 6

2 219

and 109 576 Pa

then Q were 119.6

3.1

and 24.3 m3/h. The τB solved by the exact solution in the loop test was 128.098 3 Pa

K was 0.450 6

and n was 1.109 7

while the τB value solved by the approximate solution was 138.965 2 Pa

K was 1.244 4

and n was 0.905 7. The comparison of 3D images drawn by equation visualization method demonstrates that the values of pipeline flow obtained by the exact solution and the approximate solution were basically the same and had similar variations

indicating the accuracy of the approximate pipeline flow equation. Therefore

the flow equation of non-Newtonian fluid pipeline is suitable for the engineering practice of non-Newtonian fluid pipeline transportation and is a strong supplement to Buckingham flow equation and Poiseuille law.