A new correlation and the review of two-phase flow pressure change across sudden expansion in small channels

Abstract

In this study, the authors first present a short overview on the single-phase flow across sudden expansion, followed by a thorough review of the relevant literature for two-phase flow across sudden expansion, and examination of the applicability of the existing correlations. Also, 282 data available from five publications are collected. It is found that none of the existing correlations can accurately predict the entire database. Most of the correlations highly over predict the data with a mini test section which has a Bond number being less than 0.1 in which the effect of surface tension dominates. Also, some of the correlations significantly under predict the data for very large test sections. Among the models/correlations being examined, the homogeneous model shows a poor predictive ability than the others, but it is handy for the engineering aspect. Hence by taking account the influences of Bond number, Weber number, Froude number, liquid Reynolds number, gas quality and area ratio into the original homogeneous model, a modified homogeneous model is proposed that considerably improves the predictive ability over existing correlations with a mean deviation of 23% and a standard deviation of 29% to all the data with wider ranges of operating parameters for application.