Visualization of Flow Regime Transitions in Two-Phase Flow Under High Voltage Electric Fields

Author(s):  
Hossam S. Sadek ◽  
James S. Cotton ◽  
Chan Y. Ching ◽  
Mamdouh Shoukri

The effects of applying DC high voltage electric fields on two-phase flow regime transitions for flowing refrigerant HFC-134a were visualized using a high speed camera. The viewing test section was made of 10 mm inner diameter quartz tube with a 3.18 mm diameter charged electrode placed along the center of the tube. The quartz tube was coated with an electrically grounded transparent conductive film of Tin Oxide. The experiments were performed for mass flux (55 kg/m2s < G < 263 kg/m2s), quality (20% < x < 80%) and applied voltage (0 kV < V < 8 kV). The flow regime transitions depend on the flow regime prior to applying the EHD. For stratified flow, EHD increases the interfacial instabilities and causes liquid extraction to the upper section of the tube. When the flow regime is initially annular flow, EHD increases the uniformity of the annular film by extracting liquid from the thicker liquid regions into the vapor core.

Author(s):  
Matt Zimmer ◽  
Igor A Bolotnov

Abstract New criteria for fully resolving two-phase flow regime transitions using direct numerical simulation with the level set method for interface capturing are proposed. A series of flows chosen to capture small scale interface phenomena are simulated at different grid refinements. These cases include droplet deformation and breakup in a simple shear field, the thin film around a Taylor bubble, and the rise of a bubble towards a free surface. These cases cover the major small scale phenomena observed in two-phase flows: internal recirculation, interface curvature, interface snapping, flow of liquid in thin films, and drainage/snapping of thin films. The results from these simulations and their associated grid studies were used to develop new meshing requirements for simulation of two-phase flow using interface capturing methods, in particular the level set method. When applicable, the code used in this work, PHASTA, was compared to experiments in order to contribute to the ongoing validation process of the code. Results show that when the solver meets these criteria, with the exception of resolving the nanometer scale liquid film between coalescing bubbles, the code is capable of accurately simulating interface topology changes.


Author(s):  
Sidharth Paranjape ◽  
Susan N. Ritchey ◽  
Suresh V. Garimella

Electrical impedance of a two-phase mixture is a function of void fraction and phase distribution. The difference in the electrical conductance and permittivity of the two phases can be exploited to measure electrical impedance for obtaining void fraction and flow regime characteristics. An electrical impedance meter is constructed for the measurement of void fraction in microchannel two-phase flow. The experiments are conducted in air-water two-phase flow under adiabatic conditions. A transparent acrylic test section of hydraulic diameter 780 micrometer is used in the experimental investigation. The impedance void meter is calibrated against the void fraction measured using analysis of images obtained with a high-speed camera. Based on these measurements, a methodology utilizing the statistical characteristics of the void fraction signals is employed for identification of microchannel flow regimes.


2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Pawloski ◽  
C. Y. Ching ◽  
M. Shoukri

The void fractions, flow regimes, and pressure drop of air-oil two-phase flow in a half-inch diameter pipe over a wide range of test conditions have been investigated. The flow regimes were identified with the aid of a 1000 frames per second high-speed camera. A capacitance sensor for instantaneous void fraction measurements was developed. The mean and probability density function of the instantaneous void fraction signal can be used to effectively identify the different flow regimes. The current flow regime data show significant differences in the transitional boundaries of the existing flow regime maps. Property correction factors for the flow regime maps are recommended. The pressure drop measurements were compared to the predictions from four existing two-phase flow pressure drop models. Though some of the models performed better for certain flow regimes, none of the models were found to give accurate results over the entire range of flow regimes.


Author(s):  
Paul J. Kreitzer ◽  
Michael Hanchak ◽  
Larry Byrd

Understanding the behavior of transient two phase refrigerant flow is an important aspect of implementing vapor compression systems in future aerospace applications. Pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient are important parameters that guide the design process, and are influenced by flow regime. Published two phase flow models rely heavily on a priori knowledge of the current two phase flow conditions including flow regime. Additional complications arise when applying published correlations to a range of systems because each correlation is based on a specific set of experimental conditions, including working fluid, flow orientation, channel size, and channel shape. Non-intrusive measurement techniques provide important advantages while measuring the behavior of two phase flow systems. A two phase flow experimental test rig has been developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory, providing a closed loop refrigeration system capable of producing flow regimes from bubbly through annular flow. Two phase flow is produced by pumping subcooled R134a through a heat exchanger with 40 minichannels into an adiabatic transparent fused quartz observation channel with a hydraulic diameter of 7 mm. Refrigerant mass flux is varied from 100–400 kg/m2s with a heat flux from 0–15.5 W/cm2. Temperatures ranged from 18–25 °C and pressures between 550–750 kPa. The data from high speed pressure transducers were analyzed using standard signal processing techniques to identify the different flow regimes. Initial results indicate that different flow regimes can be identified from their pressure signature. In addition, real-time void fraction measurements were taken using Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT). This paper describes the process behind ECT systems used to measure two phase flow conditions. Comparisons with high speed video assess the accuracy of ECT measurements in identifying various two phase flow conditions. Results indicate variations between ECT and high speed images, however, enough information is provided to create flow pattern maps and regime identification for different superficial vapor and liquid velocities.


1993 ◽  
Vol 59 (568) ◽  
pp. 3883-3890
Author(s):  
Masao Nakazatomi ◽  
Hideo Shimizu ◽  
Tsumoru Ochiai ◽  
Kotohiko Sekoguchi

Fractals ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 265-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
MASSIMILIANO GIONA ◽  
ALESSANDRO PAGLIANTI ◽  
ALFREDO SOLDATI

Diffusional analysis is employed to characterize two-phase flow regime transitions in horizontal pipes. The scaling analysis of the mean square displacement [Formula: see text] associated with the diffusional process driven by density fluctuations proves to be an efficient method for two-phase regime identification. Intermittent flow regime transitions are discussed and compared with theoretical and semiempirical models.


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