Local interfacial area measurement in bubbly flow

Abstract

A theoretical foundation of the measurement method for the time averaged local interfacial area using a double sensor probe is presented. Experimental data are presented on the radial profiles of the void fraction, bubble velocity, bubble chord length and interfacial area concentration at various gas flow rates. In addition to these, some statistical information on turbulent motions of bubbles are presented. Each of the double sensors is checked against the global void measurement using a differential pressure. The result is very satisfactory. Furthermore, the area averaged void fraction and the interfacial area concentration obtained from the double sensor probe measurement compared very well with the photographic measurements. The results show that the double sensor probe method is accurate and reliable for the local measurements of interfacial area and void fraction in bubbly two-phase flow. Some results of the measurement of interfacial area concentration with the double sensor probe are also presented for bubbly flow at different liquid flow rates.