Experimental and numerical investigation of flow dynamics in an upward bubbly flow in a tube undergoing oscillating rolling motion

Abstract

Offshore nuclear power plants are characterized by a potential oscillatory motion depending on ocean waves. Investigating the local flow behavior in a system undergoing oscillating motion is necessary. In particular, because the local void fraction near the heating element surface significantly affects the nucleating boiling heat transfer and critical heat flux, understanding the dynamic behavior of the local void fraction is very important. Therefore, in this study, as an essential first step in predicting boiling heat transfer and departure from nucleate boiling in offshore nuclear reactors, the dynamic behavior of air–water bubbly flows has been experimentally and numerically investigated in a tube under oscillatory rolling conditions. An optical fiber Doppler probe was used to measure the local bubble parameters. The effects of the rolling period on the void fraction distributions, bubble sizes, and bubble velocities were insignificant. However, the rolling amplitude effect was significant. The void fraction was the highest at the downward-facing wall when the tube was at its maximum tilt. Moreover, the local water velocity became the highest when the tube returned to near vertical because of the combined effect of gravity and Euler force. These findings provide insights into understanding the characteristics of bubbly flow in a rolling tube.