Flow patterns in upward two-phase flow in small diameter tubes

Two-phase flow in small tubes and channels is becoming a common phenomenon in industrial processes. However, the study of two-phase flow regimes in small tubes is still at its infancy. The previous studies are reviewed and discussed in the literature section. The problems and inconsistencies encountered in the earlier studies are presented and discussed. The experimental facility is introduced in the chapters that follow. They include a section on the design of the experimental system and the test sections, the selection of the experimental parameters and the introduction of the purposely-developed programs to control the experiments and collect and process the data. The methodology of the calibration and the uncertainty analysis, the problems encountered and their solutions and the single-phase validation experiments are also described. In this project we studied the effect of tube diameter and fluid flow parameters on flow patterns in small tubes using R134a as the working fluid. The tested tube diameters were 1.10, 2.01, 2.88 and 4.26 mm; the fluid pressures were 6, 10 and 14 bar; the liquid and gas superficial velocities covered a range of 0.04-5.0 m/s and 0.01-10.0 m/s respectively. The observed flow patterns included bubbly, dispersed bubble, confined bubble, slug, chum, annular and mist flow. Twelve integrated flow maps are sketched in this report. The obtained results were compared with earlier experiments by other workers and with existing models, with obvious differences in the prediction of the transition boundaries. A set of new models and correlations were developed, based on the new data for boiling R134a presented in this thesis, to predict the effect of tube diameter and fluid properties on the transition boundaries. Some also agreed with the limited data available from earlier studies for adiabatic air-water flow in small to normal size tubes.

Grantor dc:publisher

Brunel University School of Engineering and Design PhD Theses

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Chen, Lejun

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Karayiannis, TG
• Tian, Y

• Tube diameter
• R134a fluid
• Superficial velocities
• Flow maps
• Adiabatic air-water flow

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/5104

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bura.brunel.ac.uk:2438/5104