Experiments and Modeling in Bubbly Flows at Elevated Pressures

Abstract

Measurements of local void fraction, rise velocity, and bubble diameter have been obtained for cocurrent, wall-heated, upward bubbly flows in a pressurized refrigerant. The instrumentation used are the gamma densitometer and the hot-film anemometer. Departure bubble size is correlated in terms of liquid subcooling and bulk bubble size in terms of void fraction. Flow visualization techniques have also been used to understand the two-phase flow structure and the behavior of the bubbly flow for different bubble shapes and sizes, and to obtain the bubble diameter and rise velocity. The lift model is provided explicitly in terms of Eotvos number which is changed by changing the system pressure. In general, Eotvos number plays a strong role in determining both bubbly lift and drag. Such insight coupled with quantitative local and averaged data on void fraction and bubble size at different pressures has aided in developing bubbly flow models applicable to heated two-phase flows at high pressure.