Correlation between Void Fraction and Two-Phase Flow Pattern Air-Water with Low Viscosity in Mini Channel with Slope 30 Degrees

Abstract

Two-phase flow has been used in so many industrial processes, such as boilers, reactors, heat exchangers, geothermal and others. Some parameters which need to be studied include flow patterns, void fractions, and pressure changes. Research on void fractions aims to determine the composition of the gas and liquid phases that will affect the nature and value of the flow property. The purpose of this study is to find out the characteristics of the void fraction of various patterns that occurs and to determine the characteristics of the velocity, length, and frequency of bubbly and plug. Data acquisition was used to convert the data from analog to digital so that it can be recorded, stored, processed, and analyzed. High-speed camera Nikon type J4 was used to record the flow. The condition of the study was adiabatic with variation of superficial gas velocity (JG), superficial fluid velocity (JL), and also working fluid. To determine the void fraction by using the digital image processing method. The results of the study found that the flow patterns which occurred in this study were bubbly, plug, annular, slug-annular and churn flows. It also showed that the void fraction value is determined by the superficial velocity of the liquid and air. The higher the superficial velocity of the air, the lower the void fraction value.