Simulation of the two-phase flow in a thermosyphon using an inclined transparent tube with the lower-end closed and the upper-end open

Abstract

The initial liquid charge of a vertically orientated two-phase closed thermosyphon for adequate thermal performance as determined theoretically by assuming that the condensate is in the form of a relatively thin film underestimates the amount determined by using experimental correlations. Knowing the physical details of the two-phase flow within the thermosyphon could explain this discrepancy. Because, however, of the difficulty of directly observing two-phase flow in an actual metal thermosyphon it was decided to investigate the two-phase flow by using air and water in a transparent tube. The tube that was used is closed at the lower end and open at the top end, was partially charged with water, and air was introduced into the closed end at increasing air flow rates until water droplets were just about to be expelled from the open end. The flow patterns occurring as a function of air flow rate were identified. The average liquid fraction in four sections of the tube was determined for different initial charge fractions and inclinations. It was observed that even at low air flow rates significant quantities of liquid were propelled up into the tube and that the flow is oscillatory. It was concluded that care would have to be taken in assuming a relatively thin and uniform liquid film in theoretically modelling a thermosyphon.