Open Access

ARTICLE

The Influence of Flow Pressure Gradient on Interfacial Wave Properties in Annular Two-Phase Flow at Microgravity and Normal Gravity Conditions

Huawei Han¹, Kamiel S. Gabriel²

1 PostDoc. Fellow, Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON, CA.
2 Associate Provost, Research, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON, CA.

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2006, 2(4), 287-298. https://doi.org/10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.287

Abstract

Data on air-water co-current two-phase annular flow in a tube with an inner diameter of 9.525 mm (3/8 in) were previously collected at both microgravity u-g and normal gravity (1-g) conditions. The data contained measurements of pressure drop, in addition to previously published data of liquid film thickness. This paper presents the results and analysis of the influence of flow pressure gradient on interfacial wave properties of annular flow at both microgravity and normal gravity. The examined wave properties include wave base thickness, wave height (or roughness height), wave spacing, wave speed and wave frequency. It was found that, the average liquid film thickness, wave base thickness, wave height, and wave spacing decrease with increase of the pressure gradient at both gravity levels; while, the wave speed and wave frequency linearly increase irrespective of the change in the gravity levels. In addition, the wave properties under 1-g and u-g conditions were compared. It was found that the average liquid film thickness at u-g is 2 to 3 times as thick as that at 1-g; the wave base thickness at u-g is 2~4 times as thick as that at 1-g; the wave height or roughness height at u-g is 50% less than that at 1-g; and the wave spacing at u-g is 3 to 4 times as long as its counterpart at 1-g. The interpretations of these results are also included in the paper.

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