Rheological studies of coal-oil mixtures

Summary Samples of stable coal-oil mixtures were prepared with coal concentrations ranging from 30–50% by weight. Extensive rheological data were obtained using capillary and cone-plate viscometers for samples of coal-oil mixtures and fuel-oil which served as a reference fluid. Viscosity measurements show coal-oil mixtures to be shear-thinning suspensions, i.e., the viscosity decreases moderately with increasing shear rates. In the concentration range of 30–40% coal, the coal-oil mixture shows a predominantly Newtonian behavior. For mixtures with coal concentrations higher than 40%, a yield point was observed. The study of these samples with the rotating-rod viscometer indicated a migration of coal particles away from the rotating rod with no noticeable rod climbing, thus no evidence of normal stress effects. The rheological data can be represented by any of the three two-parameter models: Power Law, Bingham Plastic, or Casson, with the last two models being more realistic and consistent with the observations.With 9 figures