Development of Air/Water Two-Phase Flow Centrifugal Pump and Its Operating Characteristics

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akinori Furukawa ◽  
Satoshi Ohshita ◽  
Kusuo Okuma ◽  
Satoshi Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Air Flow Rate ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Flow Pump

A centrifugal impeller, the pumping action of which could be highly kept even at an air-water two-phase flow condition of inlet void fraction more than 30% in the region of relatively high water flow rate, has been developed. In the present paper, the design concept of two-phase flow impeller is described, at first, with experimental results. The short bladed forward impeller with high outlet blade angle was decided to keep theoretical head higher even in two-phase flow condition and to disperse the air accumulating region on the suction blade surface by the water jet flow coming from the pressure side. Furthermore, the tandem arrangement of outer and inner rotating cascades with the same blade numbers was adopted to suppress the rotating stall phenomena appearing in the case of a single stage of outer cascade. It should be noted that these results were obtained with operating a boost pump installed upstream of mixing section of air and water, that is not an actual operation of two-phase flow pump. Secondly, the operating characteristics of this two-phase flow pump with change of air flow rate were investigated experimentally without operating the boost pump. As the trajectory of operating point with increasing air flow rate appears along the resistance curve of piping system, the impossibility of pumping occurs at lower air flow rate even though pump head takes a positive value at high air flow rate with increasing water flow rate. It is recognized that it is necessary to improve two-phase flow head characteristic curves in the region of low water flow rate to operate in wider two-phase flow conditions.

Influences of Impeller Diameter and Diffuser Blades on Air-Water Two-Phase Flow Performance of Centrifugal Pump

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Matsushita ◽  
Akinori Furukawa ◽  
Kusuo Okuma ◽  
Satoshi Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Flow Condition ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Two Phase

A tandem arrangement of double rotating cascades and single diffuser cascade, proposed as a centrifugal pump with high performance in air-water two-phase flow condition, yields lower head due to the smallness of the impeller outlet in comparison with a impeller with large outlet diameter and no diffuser. Influences of impeller diameter change and installation of diffuser blades on two-phase flow performance were experimentally investigated under the case of the same volute casing. As the result, the similarity law of the diameter of impeller having the similar blade geometry and the rotational speed is satisfied even in two-phase flow condition. Comparing pump performances between a large impeller without diffuser blades and a small one with diffuser blades, higher two-phase flow performance is obtained by controlling the rotational speed of a small impeller with diffuser blades in the range of small water flow rates, while a large impeller with no diffuser gives high performance in the range of high water flow rate and small air flow rate.

Analysis of Transient Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Pipelines

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kohda ◽  
Y. Suzukawa ◽  
H. Furukawa
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Conservation ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines

A new method is developed to analyze transient gas-liquid two-phase flow in natural gas pipelines. This method utilizes the two velocity mixture model to derive the basic equations. Also, a new model, which expresses phase conditions for multicomponent natural gas-condensate system, is presented to derive mass conservation equations for each hypothetical component. Transient air-water two-phase flow experiments were conducted using a test pipeline 105.3 mm in diameter and 1436.5 m long. Experimental conditions include, increasing or decreasing air flow rate with constant water flow rate, and transition from single-phase air flow to air-water two-phase flow. Experimental data were compared with calculated results, and the agreement was very good. Furthermore, calculated results agreed very well with a published field data.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation on Improvement of Wet Cooling Tower Efficiency with Diverse Packing Compaction Using ANN-PSO Algorithm

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Hasan Alimoradi ◽  
Madjid Soltani ◽  
Pooriya Shahali ◽  
Farshad Moradi Kashkooli ◽  
Razieh Larizadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Cooling Tower ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Pso Algorithm ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Air Flow Rate

In this study, a numerical and empirical scheme for increasing cooling tower performance is developed by combining the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with a neural network and considering the packing’s compaction as an effective factor for higher accuracies. An experimental setup is used to analyze the effects of packing compaction on the performance. The neural network is optimized by the PSO algorithm in order to predict the precise temperature difference, efficiency, and outlet temperature, which are functions of air flow rate, water flow rate, inlet water temperature, inlet air temperature, inlet air relative humidity, and packing compaction. The effects of water flow rate, air flow rate, inlet water temperature, and packing compaction on the performance are examined. A new empirical model for the cooling tower performance and efficiency is also developed. Finally, the optimized performance conditions of the cooling tower are obtained by the presented correlations. The results reveal that cooling tower efficiency is increased by increasing the air flow rate, water flow rate, and packing compaction.

Experimental Characterization of Two-Phase Flow Through Valves Applied to Liquid-Assisted Gas-Lift

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato P. Coutinho ◽  
Paulo J. Waltrich ◽  
Wesley C. Williams ◽  
Parviz Mehdizadeh ◽  
Stuart Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Flow ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Gas Lift

Abstract Liquid-assisted gas-lift (LAGL) is a recently developed concept to unload wells using a gas–liquid fluid mixture. The success deployment of the LAGL technology is related to the behavior of two-phase flow through gas-lift valves. For this reason, this work presents an experimental and numerical study on two-phase flow through orifice gas-lift valves used in liquid-assisted gas-lift unloading. To the knowledge of the authors, there is no investigation in the literature on experimental characterization of two-phase flow through gas-lift valves. Experimental data are presented for methane-water flow through gas-lift valves with different orifice port sizes: 12.7 and 17.5 mm. The experiments were performed for pressures ranging from 1.00 to 9.00 MPa, gas flow rates from 0 to 4.71 m3/h, and water flow rate from 0 to 0.68 m3/min. The experimental results are compared to numerical models published in the literature for two-phase flow through restrictions and to commercial multiphase flow simulators. It is observed that some models developed for two-phase flow through restrictions could successfully characterize two-phase flow thorough gas-lift valves with errors lower than 10%. However, it is first necessary to experimentally determine the discharge coefficient (CD) for each gas-lift valve. The commercial flow simulators showed a similar performance as the models available in the literature.

Model of Water-Air Two-Phase Flow in Saturated-Unsaturated Soil

2011 ◽  
Vol 308-310 ◽  
pp. 553-558
Author(s):  
Chun Hui Fang ◽  
Xiao Yue Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Capillary Pressure ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Calculation Method ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Two Phase

For seepage in unsaturated soil, there are both air flow and water flow, which can be called the water-air two-phase flow. In order to simulate the water-air two-phase flow in soil when there is groundwater, a numerical model of water-air two-phase flow in saturated-unsaturated soil is established in this paper. By the model, the air-flow and water-flow in unsaturated soil are both considered in seepage calculation. And the mass transfer between air-phase and water-phase, change of phase states are considered in calculation. Capillary pressure is the most important factor for the water-air two-phase flow in unsaturated soil, and the calculation method of capillary pressure is also given in the paper. At last examples are given to verify the correctness of the numerical model and the calculation method.

Water Flow Distribution in Horizontal Protruding-Type Header Contaminated With Bubbles

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiyo Horiki ◽  
Masahiro Osakabe
Keyword(s):  
Uniform Distribution ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Air Flow Rate ◽  
Distribution Behavior

Abstract Flow header for small multiple pipes is commonly used in boilers and heat exchangers. The system contributes to raise the heat transfer efficiency in the components. The flow distribution mechanism of the header for water has been studied and the calculation procedure for the design has been recommended for a single-phase condition. It is also recommended to avoid the bubbles in the header to obtain a uniform water flow rate to each small pipe. But in some cases, the header has to be used to distribute a flow containing bubbles. Distribution behavior of water with a gas-phase was studied experimentally in a horizontal header with four vertical pipes. In the present experimental header, it was possible to protrude the branch pipes inside of the header and the effect of protruding length on the water distribution behavior was studied. When the protruding length was 0, the water distribution rate to the first pipe rapidly increased and the rates to the others decreased with a small amount of bubbles. As the bubbles in the header were absorbed only into the first pipe, the average two-phase density in the first pipe decreased. The decreased pressure head promotes the rush of water into the first pipe such as in an airlift pump. By increasing the air flow rate in the header inlet further, the flow rate to the first pipe took a maximum and then tended to decrease. The increased air flow rate in the first pipe increased the pressure loss in the pipe and resulted in a reduction in the water flow rate. The more important and serious behavior could be seen in the other pipes where the water flow rate decreased to 1/5 of the uniform distribution rate. By increasing the protruding length, the non-uniform distribution of water was suppressed because the gas-phase entered not only the first pipe but also the others. The best result was obtained when the four branch pipes were protruded into the center of header.

Analysis of Orifice Plate Differential Pressure Noise in Horizontal and Vertical Rising Gas-Water Two-Phase Flow

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianfa Li ◽  
Shuoping Zhong ◽  
Yanfei Sun
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Differential Pressure ◽  
Orifice Plate ◽  
Vapor Flow ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Square Root ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
The Difference

It is an important achievement of modern techniques to determine the mass flow rate and the phase fraction of wet steam by measuring the orifice plate differential pressure noise. The orifice plate differential pressure noise of air-water two-phase flow in horizontal and vertical rising pipelines were analyzed. Kinds of calculation methods were tried to get the differential pressure noise. From the difference waveform of the differential pressure square root that the acquisition card got and the mean square root of the sample that got before, the first in first out (FIFO) principle was used to get the differential pressure noise. Result shows that the differential pressure noise has different level at different vapor flow rate with the same water flow rate, conclusions show that the two-parameter measurement by using orifice plate differential pressure noise may be possibly used in vertical rising gas-water two phase flow.

Air/Water Two-Phase Flow Performance of Contra-Rotating Axial Flow Pump and Rotational Speed Control of Rear Rotor

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toru Shigemitsu ◽  
Akinori Furukawa ◽  
Satoshi Watanabe ◽  
Kusuo Okuma
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Rate Range ◽  
Flow Rate Range ◽  
Axial Flow Pump ◽  
Flow Pump

An application of contra-rotating rotors, consisting of front and rear rotors rotating in the opposite direction from each other, has been proposed against a demand for developing a higher specific speed axial flow pump with a more compact structure, higher efficiency and higher cavitation performance. As axial flow pumps are used for standby operations of air-lock and air/water mixing discharge to prevent floods, air/water two-phase flow performance of the contra-rotating pump has to be also investigated. In the present paper, therefore, experimental results on air/water two-phase flow performance of a test pump with contra-rotating rotors are shown and compared with those of a conventional axial flow pump, consisting of a front rotor and a rear stator. Even under two-phase flow conditions head characteristic curve of the contra-rotating type has a more strongly negative slope than that of the conventional type. The contra-rotating type maintains higher head and higher efficiency even in the low flow rate range and vice versa in the high flow rate range. This result will be discussed by considering the change of outlet flow from front rotor due to two-phase flow with the help of observed air behavior in the rotors. Then effects of changes of rear rotor rotational speed different from front rotor speed, which is an advantage of the contra-rotating axial flow pump, on two-phase flow performance are examined. Under the condition of constant ratio of air to water flow rates, the head rise of the rear rotor linearly increases with rear rotor rotational speed. Air/water two-phase flow performance of the contra-rotating axial flow pump can be improved by this control procedure for the rear rotor rotational speed.

Experimental Investigation on Two-Phase Flow Distribution in Multi-Channel Manifold With Two Radial Inlets

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Pang ◽  
Baomin Sun ◽  
Bo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Parallel Channels ◽  
Inlet Conditions

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the two-phase flow distributions in a horizontal cylindrical manifold with two radial inlets and 11 parallel channels. The effects of the different inlet conditions on two-phase flow distribution of parallel channels in the manifold were investigated. The flow rates of air and water in 11 channels were measured under symmetrical and unsymmetrical inlet conditions. Experimental results show that the air and water flow distributions of manifold at channels keep a stable flow ratio when two radial inlet conditions keep symmetrical. Water flow distribution has a significant variation and air flow distribution has a small change when two radial inlet conditions keep unsymmetrical and water superficial velocity increases at right inlet. Water and air flow distribution has a significant variation when two radial inlet conditions keep unsymmetrical and air superficial velocity decreases.

Experimental Study on the Void Fraction of Siphon Breaking Process

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Xing-lin ◽  
Huang Shan-fan ◽  
Guo Zhong-xiao ◽  
Guo Xiao-yu
Keyword(s):  
Void Fraction ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Phase Identification ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Two Phase

As a safety device to alleviate the loss of reactor coolant, the siphon breaking system is widely used in nuclear power plant. Researchers are very interested in this technique for its “passive” characteristic. Vertical downward air-water two-phase flow is encountered in the siphon breaking process. Previous researches have been more focused on some physical parameters, such as water flow rate, air flow rate, pressure drop and the undershooting height. Void fraction, as a key parameter in multiphase flow, should be studied in the siphon breaking phenomenon. Therefore, a needle-contact capacitance probe is used for flow-phase identification and a single-wire capacitance for obtaining the average value of gas distribution along the straight line. Experimental results show that the flow pattern during the vertical downward air-water two-phase flow is mostly annular flow. With the gas entering the pipeline, void fraction profile against time can be divided into three stages. The slope in the first stage is similar to that in the third. However, the slope slows down in the middle stage. The experimental results also show that the real duration time to break the siphon flow is as short as about 6 s. The void fraction at the end of the siphon breaking process is about 0.38. During this stage, a large amount of gas is sucked into the downcomer and little water is inhaled. The gas phase results in a convergent effect, where the air intake is the direct and fundamental reason of siphon breaking.

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