C224 Experimental Study on Gas-Liquid Flow Distributions in Multi-Pass Channels

Abstract

The gas-liquid flow distribution in a multi-pass channel with horizontal headers and downward branches was examined experimentally. At first, the refrigerant two-phase flow in the channel was visualized to make clear the flow characteristics in the dividing and combining headers. Then, the air-water flow was observed and the air and water distribution ratios in the branches were measured under following four air and water velocity conditions at the header entrance: (a) equal superficial velocities, (b) equal kinetic energies, (c) equal quality and mass flow rate and (d) equal Baker flow pattern map parameters. The results obtained in the air-water flows were closely compared with those observed in the refrigerant flow. It was found that the condition of equal superficial velocities was most suitable for simulating the refrigerant two-phase flow.