The experimental investigation was carried out in a
horizontal experimental pipeline loop, composed of steel in
the bends, plexiglass test section. and glass pipes of inside
diameter Ds0.05 m. The test section was 16.5 m long
and on its downstream end was situated a 4-m long section
for measuring the time intervals of capsule passage. Inside
of the 4-m section was 2-m long section for measuring
pressure losses.
Water of temperature Ts20"28C was used as the
carrier liquid, discharge was measured by electromagnetic
flowmeter CHEPOS i.d. 40. Mean velocity range was from
0.5 to 3.0 mrs Re from 2.5=104 to 1.5=105.. To feed
capsules into the loop, a special belt conveyor feeder was
constructed. It can feed up to 10 capsules in a row with a
velocity corresponding to the capsule velocity in the pipe.
By controlling the belt speed, the linear capsule concentration
in the train could be controlled.
The accuracy of the measurements differs according to
measured parameters. For the velocity of the liquid, accuracy
was better than 2.5%, the flowmeter was checked by
volumetric measurement. Capsule velocities were measured
with accuracy within 1.5%. Also, the accuracy of
pressure drop measurements was better than 3%.