The effects of channel diameter on flow pattern, void fraction and pressure drop of two-phase air–water flow in circular micro-channels

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sira Saisorn ◽  
Somchai Wongwises
Author(s):  
Weilin Qu ◽  
Seok-Mann Yoon ◽  
Issam Mudawar

Knowledge of flow pattern and flow pattern transitions is essential to the development of reliable predictive tools for pressure drop and heat transfer in two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. In the present study, experiments were conducted with adiabatic nitrogen-water two-phase flow in a rectangular micro-channel having a 0.406 × 2.032 mm cross-section. Superficial velocities of nitrogen and water ranged from 0.08 to 81.92 m/s and 0.04 to 10.24 m/s, respectively. Flow patterns were first identified using high-speed video imaging, and still photos were then taken for representative patterns. Results reveal that the dominant flow patterns are slug and annular, with bubbly flow occurring only occasionally; stratified and churn flow were never observed. A flow pattern map was constructed and compared with previous maps and predictions of flow pattern transition models. Annual flow is identified as the dominant flow pattern for conditions relevant to two-phase micro-channel heat sinks, and forms the basis for development of a theoretical model for both pressure drop and heat transfer in micro-channels. Features unique to two-phase micro-channel flow, such as laminar liquid and gas flows, smooth liquid-gas interface, and strong entrainment and deposition effects are incorporated into the model. The model shows good agreement with experimental data for water-cooled heat sinks.


Author(s):  
Sira Saisorn ◽  
Somchai Wongwises

The experimental investigation is performed to study two-phase flow pattern, void fraction and pressure drop characteristics in a vertical micro-channel. The test section is a fused silica tube with a diameter of 0.53 mm and a length of 320 mm. Air and water are used as working fluid which is introduced to the test section in vertical upward direction. The test runs are done at superficial velocities of gas and liquid ranging respectively from 0.375 to 21.187 m/s and 0.004 to 2.436 m/s. Stereozoom microscope mounted together with camera are employed to conduct flow visualization from which slug flow, throat-annular flow, churn flow, annular flow and annular-rivulet flow are observed. Based on image analysis, void fraction data are obtained and found to be linear relationship with volumetric quality. The frictional pressure drop is relatively high when the formation of churn flow is established. Besides, the two-phase frictional multiplier is found to be strongly dependent on both mass flux and flow pattern.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faraj Ben Rajeb ◽  
Syed Imtiaz ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Amer Aborig ◽  
Mohamed M. Awad ◽  
...  

Abstract Slug flow is one of the most common flow patterns in non-Newtonian two-phase flow in pipes. It is a very common occurrence in gas-liquid two-phase flow in the pipe. Usually, it is an unfavorable flow pattern due to its unsteady nature, intermittency as well as high pressure drop. The differences between slug flow and elongated bubble flow are not clear because usually these two types of flow combined under one flow category. In general, these two-phase flow regimes are commonly defined as intermittent flow. In the present study, pressure gradient, and wave behavior in slug flow have been investigated depending on experimental work. In addition, void fraction has been estimated regarding available superficial liquid and gas velocities. The experimental records of superficial velocities of gas and liquid for slug flow and other flow patterns is used to create flow regime map for the gas non-Newtonian flow system. The effect of investigated flow regime velocities for non-Newtonian/gas flow on pressure drop and void fraction is reported. Pressure drop has been discovered to be reduced in slug flow more than other flow patterns due to high shear thinning behavior.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Autee ◽  
S.Srinivasa Rao ◽  
Ravikumar Puli ◽  
Ramakant Shrivastava

Effect of inclination on two-phase frictional pressure drop was investigated in small diameter circular tubes with inner diameters of 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 mm using air and water. Pressure drop was measured and compared with various existing models commonly used for macro and micro channels such as homogeneous, Lockhart-Martinelli, Chisholm, Friedel, Mishma Hibiki, and Zang Mishma. It was found that existing correlations are inadequate in predicting pressure drop for small diameter inclined tubes. The void fraction is calculated using a general void fraction correlation in two-phase flow for various pipe orientations. Based on analysis of present experimental frictional pressure drop data, a correlation is proposed for predicting Chisholm parameter C in small diameter inclined tubes. There was a significant ordering of pressure drop data with respect to Reynolds number, Webber number and Bond number for each diameter.


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