Developing Lengths in Horizontal Two-Phase Bubbly Flow

Abstract

An air-water two-phase flow facility with a 19.1 mm i.d. test section has been fabricated. Local measurements of pressure drop for two-phase horizontal bubbly flow and single-phase flow downstream of various orifices have been obtained over a range of flow conditions. The wall shear stress developing length is obtained from the pressure drop profile. A developing length correlation is presented in which the relative deviation is 6 percent. The fully developed vapor volume fraction has also been measured up- and downstream of the orifice. A simple correlation for vapor volume fraction is presented in which the relative deviation is 7 percent. Photographs of the two-phase flow pattern in the developing region reveal that the flow structure is extremely complex and continuously evolves until approximately fully developed flow conditions are achieved.