Effects of Gap Width and Orientation on Two-Phase Flow in a Narrow Passage between Two-Flat Plates.

Abstract

The effects of flow channel gap width and orientation on two-phase flow pattern, void fraction and frictional pressure drop have been investigated using an adiabatic air-water flow in a channel between two flat plates, 240mm long × 80mm wide, with gap widths of 1.465mm and 0.778mm. The six orientaions studied were vertically upward and downward, 45°inclined upward and downward, horizontal flow between horizontal plates and horizontal flow between vertical plates. The results showed that the effect of the flow channel orientation is small for both gap widths, except for the horizontal flow between vertical plates. In the last orientation, both void fraction and frictional pressure data showed a strong effect of mass velocity. Results of comparisons of several two-phase friction pressure drop correlations with the present data are also discussed.