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Flow physics of upward cocurrent gas-liquid annular flow in a vertical small diameter tube

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Abstract

In this paper, a steady RNG k-ε model, in conjunction with enhanced wall treatment method, was applied to the gas core in order to simulate the flow physics of annular two-phase flow. The model incorporated a physical model of wave characteristics and included the liquid entrainment influence on the flow. Based on the simulation results, flow features in the gas core were quantitatively presented and a model of the liquid entrainment mechanism was proposed. In addition, a parametric study was conducted to determine the impact of changing wave velocity, pressure, and gravitational force on the liquid film flow. The results were validated using a large set of experimental data at normal and microgravity conditions. Also, the law of the wall was applied to previously-collected experimental data. Analysis yielded different flow features of the liquid film at microgravity and normal gravity conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research & Graduate Programs, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, L1H 7K4, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

    Huawei Han & Kamiel Gabriel (Associate Provost)

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  1. Huawei Han
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  2. Kamiel Gabriel
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Correspondence to Kamiel Gabriel.

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Han, H., Gabriel, K. Flow physics of upward cocurrent gas-liquid annular flow in a vertical small diameter tube. Microgravity Sci. Technol 18, 27–38 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02870980

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02870980

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