Vertically Downward Two-Phase Flow, (I)

Void Distribution and Average Void Fraction

Abstract

Fully developed vertically downward two-phase flow of air-water mixture was investigated on void distribution and average void fraction among the three basic flow regimes; bubbly, slug and annular flows. The annular flow further was divided into two regimes of falling film flow and annular drop flow. Test channel is in form of inverted U-tube and tests were carried out at 100 tube diameters downstream from the curved part. Distributions of local void fraction were measured by means of a conductance needle probe method and the average void fraction was obtained from numerical integration of the measured local void fraction According to the results, profiles of local void fraction in bubby and slug flows showed characteristic natures with a peak in the middle region between the center and the wall of tube. The average void fraction in downward flow depended greatly on the flow regimes. Accordingly correlation for each flow regime was developed to predict the average void fraction, based on flow mechanisms and experiments. The correlations were compared with experimental results for atmospheric air-water flow and showed satisfactory agreement.