Two-phase flows downstream, upstream and within Plate Heat Exchangers

Numerical study of two-phase flow in multi-channels plate heat exchanger

The interfacial wave characteristics of stratified air-water two-phase flow in a horizontal pipe were experimentally investigated by using the flush-mounted constant electric current method (CECM) sensors. The experiments were conducted in a horizontal two-phase flow loop 9.5 m long (L) consisting of transparent acrylic pipe of 26 mm i.d. (D). To obtain the stratified flow pattern, the superficial gas and liquid velocities were set to 1.02 – 3.77 m/s and 0.016 – 0.92 m/s, respectively. Several interfacial wave patterns as described by several investigators were identified. The common parameters such as liquid hold-up, probability distribution function, wave velocity and wave frequency were investigated as the function of the liquid and gas flow rates. The interfacial curvature was calculated on the basis of the liquid hold-up data from the CECM sensors and the liquid film thickness data from the image processing technique in the previous work. As a result, it was found that the mean liquid hold-up decreases with the increase of the superficial gas velocity. In the same sub flow pattern, the wave velocity increases as the superficial gas velocity increases. On the other hand, in the two-dimensional wave region, the dominant frequency decreases with the increase of the superficial liquid velocity.

Air Bubble Entrainment in Free-Surface Turbulent Shear Flows

One of the fundamental problems in simulating the motion of sharp interfaces between immiscible fluids is a description of the transition that occurs when the interfaces merge and reconnect. It is well known that classical methods involving sharp interfaces fail to describe this type of phenomena. Following some previous work in this area, we suggest a physically motivated regularization of the Euler equations which allows topological transitions to occur smoothly. In this model, the sharp interface is replaced by a narrow transition layer across which the fluids may mix. The model describes a flow of a binary mixture, and the internal structure of the interface is determined by both diffusion and motion. An advantage of our regularization is that it automatically yields a continuous description of surface tension, which can play an important role in topological transitions. An additional scalar field is introduced to describe the concentration of one of the fluid components and the resulting system of equations couples the Euler (or Navier–Stokes) and the Cahn–Hilliard equations. The model takes into account weak non–locality (dispersion) associated with an internal length scale and localized dissipation due to mixing. The non–locality introduces a dimensional surface energy; dissipation is added to handle the loss of regularity of solutions to the sharp interface equations and to provide a mechanism for topological changes. In particular, we study a non–trivial limit when both components are incompressible, the pressure is kinematic but the velocity field is non–solenoidal (quasi–incompressibility). To demonstrate the effects of quasi–incompressibility, we analyse the linear stage of spinodal decomposition in one dimension. We show that when the densities of the fluids are not perfectly matched, the evolution of the concentration field causes fluid motion even if the fluids are inviscid. In the limit of infinitely thin and well–separated interfacial layers, an appropriately scaled quasi–incompressible Euler–Cahn–Hilliard system converges to the classical sharp interface model. In order to investigate the behaviour of the model outside the range of parameters where the sharp interface approximation is sufficient, we consider a simple example of a change of topology and show that the model permits the transition to occur without an associated singularity.

. This study investigates the geometric effects of 90-degree vertical elbows and flow configurations in two-phase flow. The study shows that the elbows make a significant effect on the transport characteristics of two-phase flow, which includes the changes in interfacial structures, bubble interaction mechanisms and flow regime transition. The effect of the elbows is characterized for global and local two-phase flow parameters. The global two-phase flow parameters include two-phase pressure, interfacial structures and flow regime transition. In order to characterize the frictional pressure drop and minor loss across the vertical elbows, pressure measurements are obtained across the test section over a wide range of flow conditions in both single-phase and two-phase flow conditions. A two-phase pressure drop correlation analogous to Lockhart-Martinelli correlation is proposed to predict the minor loss across the elbows. A high speed camera is employed to perform extensive flow visualization studies across the elbows in vertical upward, horizontal and vertical downward sections and modified flow regime maps are proposed. It is found that modified flow regime maps immediately downstream of the vertical upward elbow deviate significantly from the conventional flow regime map. A qualitative assessment of the counter-current flow limitation characteristics specific to the current experimental facility is performed. A multi-sensor conductivity probe is used to measure local two-phase flow parameters such as: void fraction, bubble velocity, interfacial area concentration and bubble frequency. The local measurements are obtained for six different flow conditions at ten measurement locations along axial direction of the test section. Both the vertical-upward and vertical-downward elbows have a significant impact on bubble distribution, resulting in, a bimodal distribution along the horizontal radius of the tube cross-section and migration of bubbles towards the inside of the elbow curvatures immediately downstream of the vertical-upward and vertical-downward elbows, respectively. The elbow effect decays further downstream of the elbow and bubbles migrate to more conventional distribution patterns. The axial transport of void fraction and interfacial area concentration shows that the elbows promote bubble disintegration. Preliminary comparisons between the interfacial area transport model and the experimental data for verticalupward and vertical downward section are also presented.

The complexity of the two-phase flow in a tube bundle presents important problems in the design and understanding of the physical phenomena taking place. The working conditions of an evaporator depend largely on the dynamics of the two-phase flow that in turn influence the heat exchange and the pressure drop of the system. A characterization of the flow dynamics, and possibly the identification of the flow pattern in the tube bundle, in thus expected to lead to a better understanding of the phenomena and to reveal on the mechanisms governing the tube bundle. Therefore, the present study aims at providing further insights into two-phase bundle flow through a new visualization system able to provide for the first time a view of the flow in the core of a tube bundle. In addition, the measurement of the light attenuation of a laser beam through the two-phase flow and measurement of the high frequency pressure fluctuations with a piezo-electric pressure transducer are used to characterize the flow. The design and the validation of this new instrumentation also provided a method for the detection of dry-out in tube bundles. This was achieved by a laser attenuation technique, flow visualization, and estimation of the power spectrum of the pressure fluctuation. The current investigation includes results for two different refrigerants, R134a and R236fa, three saturations temperatures Tsat = 5, 10 and 15 °C, mass velocities ranging from 4 to 40 kg/sm2 in adiabatic and diabatic conditions (several heat fluxes). Measurement of the local heat transfer coefficient and two-phase frictional pressure drop were obtained and utilized to improve the current prediction methods. The heat transfer and pressure drop data were supported by extensive characterization of the two-phase flow, which was to improve the understanding of the two-phase flow occurring in tube bundles.

An earthquake is one of the most serious phenomena to consider for the safety of a nuclear reactor in Japan. Therefore, structural safety of nuclear reactors has been studied and nuclear reactors were contracting with structural safety for a big earthquake. However, it is not enough for safety operation of nuclear reactors because thermal-fluid safety is not confirmed under the earthquake. For instance, behavior of gas-liquid two-phase flow is unknown in seismic conditions. Especially, fluctuation of void fraction is an important factor for the safety operation of the nuclear reactor. In previous work, fluctuation of void faction in bubbly flow was studied experimentally and theoretically to investigate the stability of the bubbly flow. In such studies, flow rate or void fraction fluctuations were given to the steady bubbly flow. In case of the earthquake, the fluctuation is not only the flow rate, but also a body force on the two-phase flow and shear force through the pipe wall. Interactions of gas and liquid through their interface also act on the behavior of the two-phase flow. The fluctuation of the void fraction is not clear for such complicated situation during the earthquake. Therefore, the behavior of gas-liquid two-phase flow is investigated experimentally and numerically in a series of studies. In this study, to develop the predictive technology of two-phase flow dynamics under earthquake acceleration, a detailed two-phase flow simulation code with an advanced interface tracking method TPFIT (Two-Phase Flow simulation code with Interface Tracking) was expanded to two-phase flow simulation in seismic conditions. In a previous study, we performed a numerical simulation of a two-phase bubbly flow in a horizontal pipe and a vertical bubble motion in a water tank in seismic conditions. And it was confirmed that the modified TPFIT can be applicable to the bubbly flow in seismic conditions. In this paper, the two-phase bubbly flow in a simulated single-subchannel excited by oscillation acceleration was simulated by using the expanded TPFIT. A calculation domain used in this simulation was a simplified subchannel in a BWR core. And time-series of void fraction distributions were evaluated based on predicted bubble distributions. When no oscillation acceleration was added, void fraction concentrated in a region near the wall. When oscillation acceleration was added, void fraction distribution was changed by time. And coalesces of bubbles occurred in the numerical simulation, and bubbles with relatively large diameter were observed. In the results, complicated void fraction distribution was observed, because the response of void fraction distribution on the oscillation acceleration was dependent on not only imposed acceleration, but also the bubble diameter.

Study and characterization of gas-liquid slug flow in an annular duct, using high speed video camera, wire-mesh sensor and PIV

Air–water and air–water–oil flows were analyzed in a complex channel prototype of a plate and shell heat exchanger (PSHE) with the aid of a fast camera. Air–water flows were characterized before the PSHE inlet port by electrical capacitance tomography (ECT). The effects of inlet pipe flow pattern (bubbly, stratified, or slug) and flow direction (upward or downward) on PSHE air–water flows were investigated. The resultant phase distribution within the PSHE channel was determined by imaging analysis. Instantaneous velocity fields projected on the channel frontal plane were obtained with particle image velocimetry (PIV) for the dispersed phase of bubbly flows. Stratified pipe flow pattern results in PSHE channel segregated flow. The thermal analysis of segregated flow patterns occurring in the hot and cold sides of a PSHE reveals that the countercurrent configuration may present worse heat transfer performance than the parallel one. PSHE multiphase flows are characterized by breakup phenomenon: the mixture among phases is intensified even if stratification occurs at the inlet port. Oil–water–air downward flows are characterized by oil–water emulsion at the channel center and by water and air–water streams at the channel external part. Oil–water–air upward flows are characterized by air–water and oil–water emulsions at the channel center and by the water stream at the channel external part.

Experimental evaluation of single- and two-phase pressure drops through inlet and outlet ports in a plate heat exchanger

Thermal characteristics of air-water two-phase flow in a vertical annularly corrugated tube

A novel method to calculate the flow velocity of solid in a solid–liquid two-phase system is induced in this paper by electrical capacitance tomography (ECT). Taking the slime settlement as an example, the concentration change of three planes in the settling tank is measured using ECT. Moreover, the settling velocity of continuous frames in different sensor planes employing the best correlation function is calculated. The results show that slime has a higher and more uniform settlement velocity in the center area of the settlement tank. A 0.02–0.04 cm/s deviation is found between the calculated velocity of clarifying interfacial layer when slime passing through the ECT sensor and the experimental data. Remarkably, the time point is in good agreement with the experimental result which is between 7 and 13 s, indicating that the method can be used to estimate the settling velocity of solid in a two-phase flow.

Concerning the two-phase gas-liquid mixtures, the present understanding of even fully developed turbulent flow of a single-phase component in close channels is not completely satisfactory. In the two-phase or multiphase flow of such heterogeneous mixture like gas-liquid many more independent parameters are involved, thereby making this process more complicated and less transparent for understanding, mathematical modeling and simulating or calculating of such parameter like the length pressure gradient. In those mathematical models for calculations and simulations, as well as for interpretation of experimental results, there is a very complicated and random phenomenon of flow patterns, which needs to be quantitatively and accurately, incorporated producing higher accuracy in calculation and description. Unfortunately, nowadays, a method of how to measure flow patterns is not available. Recognizing these challenges this paper will present an approach to incorporate flow pattern phenomenon into the two-phase flow calculation model by (1) developing a mathematical model for pressure losses in two-phase flow based on in-situ parameters, (2) developing and defining a flow pattern coefficient, which incorporates the flow pattern phenomena, and (3) present the developed mathematical model with the incorporation of flow patterns, which demonstrated significant increase of accuracy of calculations based on conducted experimental research on air-water two-phase mixture flow in a horizontal small square channel.Copyright © 2005 by ASME

Two-dimensional characteristics of the boiling two-phase flow of liquid nitrogen in a duct flow are numerically investigated to contribute to the further development of new high-performance cryogenic engineering applications. First, the governing equations of the boiling two-phase flow of liquid nitrogen based on the unsteady drift-flux model are presented and several flow characteristics are numerically calculated taking account the effect of cryogenic flow states. Based on the numerical results, a two-dimensional structure of the boiling two-phase flow of liquid nitrogen is shown in detail, and it is found that the phase change of liquid nitrogen occurs in quite a short time interval compared with that of two-phase pressurized water at high temperature. Next, it is clarified that the distributions of pressure and the void fraction in a two-phase flow show a tendency different from those of fluids at room temperature because of the decrease in sound velocity due to large compressibility and the rapid phase change velocity in a cryogenic two-phase mixture flow. According to these numerical results, the fundamental characteristics of the cryogenic two-phase flow are predicted. The numerical results obtained will contribute to advanced cryogenic industrial applications.

Numerical model of two-phase refrigerant flow distribution in a plate evaporator with distributors