Abstract
Accurate prediction of flow parameters in vertical upward gas-magnetic fluid two-phase flow in small diameter tubes is very important for developing a new energy conversion system. In this study, in order to find correlations applicable to such a flow, experiments have been conducted with a new test apparatus having 9 and 5 mm i.d. vertical tubes. To determine the effects of liquid properties, magnetic fluid, glycerin 68.3 wt % water solution (the same viscosity as that of the magnetic fluid) and tap water were used as the test liquid while air as the test gas. Flow regimes were observed with a high-speed video camera, and pressure drop and void fraction were measured with differential pressure transducer and constant current method, respectively. Experimental results of such flow parameters have been compared to study the effects of liquid properties and inside diameter of test tube. Moreover, the experimental results have been compared with the existing models and correlations. Additionally, some peculiar characteristics of air-magnetic fluid two-phase flow have been summarized.
