Experimental Investigation on Disturbance Wave Velocity and Frequency in Air-Water Horizontal Annular Flow

Andriyanto Setyawan,Indarto Indarto,Deendarlianto Deendarlianto

doi:10.5539/mas.v8n4p84

Abstract

The wave characteristics of horizontal air-water annular two-phase flow in 16 and 26-mm-diameter pipe were investigated experimentally using flush-mounted constant electric current method (CECM) sensors and visual observations. The air and water superficial velocities were varied from 12 to 40 m/s and 0.05 to 0.2 m/s, respectively. The flow morphology of annular flow such as the disturbance wave, ripple, wave coalescence, wave development, entrainment, and breakup could be observed. Using cross correlation and power spectral density functions of liquid holdup signals, the wave velocity and frequency were determined. The effect of superficial liquid velocity on the wave velocity and frequency was found to be less significant compared to that of superficial gas velocity. Simple correlations for wave velocity and frequency were also developed.

Highlights

Annular two-phase flow is found in many industrial applications involving phase-change
The flow transition from wavy to annular flow was investigated in this experiment under the lowest superficial gas and liquid velocities
3.3 Wave Coalescence and Breakup The transport of liquid film in the pipe wall could be traced from the liquid holdup signals

Summary

Introduction

Annular two-phase flow is found in many industrial applications involving phase-change This flow regime is quite complex, and it is characterized by liquid film on the wall and a gas core containing liquid droplets. Due to gravity effect, annular flow is more complicated and it is characterized by the asymmetric distribution of liquid film with thicker liquid flows along the bottom of a tube than on the sides and the top (Shedd, 2001). It causes the higher droplets concentration in the bottom part than in the other circumferential locations. The mechanism by which the liquid film is transported to the upper parts of the pipe remains unanswered (Rodriguez, 2009)

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Conclusion