Effect of inertia and compressibility on the pressure drop oscillations of two-phase boiling flows in horizontal parallel channels

Abstract

In this study, a mathematical model is developed to study Pressure drop oscillations (PDOs) in two horizontal parallel channels using lumped parameter model assuming a homogeneous two-phase flow model. This model investigates the effect of external parameters, such as fluid inertia and compressible gases, on the stability margins of PDOs. Results show that the fluid inertia and compressible gases have high impact on the stability margins of two parallel channels; in fact, increasing the inlet inertia and outlet compressibility increases system stability, while increasing the outlet inertia and inlet compressibility decreases system stability. Thus, increasing the sub-cooling number and inlet resistance coefficient improves stability behavior.