Phase separation in dividing two-phase flows

Abstract

Phase separation in dividing T- and Y-junctions was investigated experimentally and analytically in this study. New air/water phase separation data are presented for three horizontal test sections (a T-junction, a 45° Y-junction and a 135° Y-junction). Emphasis was placed on low extraction rates through the side branch. A phenomenological model was developed which was based on the idea of dividing streamlines in which centrifugal and interfacial drag forces were assumed to be dominant. Comparisons between model predictions and the available data, corresponding to different flow regimes, pressures, fluid properties, inlet flow rates and qualities and extraction rates, showed good agreement thus supporting the assumptions inherent in the model.