Model of Two-Phase Heterogeneous Mixture Flow in a Microchannel With Incorporated Flow Patterns

Abstract

In the two-phase or multiphase flow of such heterogeneous mixture like gas-liquid there is a very complicated and random phenomenon of flow patterns, which needs to be quantitatively and accurately, incorporated. Unfortunately, a model with quantitatively incorporated flow patterns in full range of concentration or method of how to measure flow patterns is not available. Recognizing these challenges this paper will present an approach to incorporate flow pattern phenomenon into the two-phase flow calculation model by (1) developing a mathematical model for pressure losses in two-phase flow based on in-situ parameters, (2) developing and defining a flow pattern coefficient, which incorporates the flow pattern phenomena, and (3) present the developed mathematical model with the incorporation of flow patterns, which demonstrated significant increase of accuracy of calculations based on conducted experimental research on air-water two-phase mixture flow in a horizontal square microchannel.