Propagation of Pressure Waves in Two-Component Bubbly Flow in Horizontal Pipes

Abstract

The propagation of pressure waves in two-component bubbly flow was analytically and experimentally investigated. An analysis is presented that accounts for the effects attributable to liquid compressibility, pipe elasticity, and temperature rise across pressure waves. Analytical results indicate that the effects of liquid compressibility and pipe wall elasticity are important at low gas content, although the effect of temperature change is generally negligible. Pressure waves were generated in the laboratory by rapid closure of a valve at the downstream end of a horizontal pipe. The experimental results indicate that there were two major pressure surges generated by valve closure; the first was attributable to stoppage of the two-phase mixture at the valve, and the second attributable to the arrest of the liquid column at the upstream end of the mixing device. The transient flow model provides a satisfactory prediction of the initial pressure rise at the valve and the average velocity of the initial pressure waves.