Comparison of Local Interfacial Structures Around 90 and 45-Degree Elbows in Horizontal Bubbly Flows

Abstract

This study presents a comparison of the geometric effects of 90 deg and 45 deg elbows in horizontal two-phase air-water bubbly flow. Two separate experiments were performed in the horizontal test section made out of 50.3 mm inner diameter glass tubes. The first set of data was collected with a 90 deg elbow installed, and then a 45 deg elbow was added to the existing facility to acquire the second set of data. A total of 15 different flow conditions, all within the bubbly flow regime, were identified for the 90 deg experiment, and very similar flow conditions were extended to the 45 deg experiment. A double-sensor conductivity probe was employed to acquire the local data at seven different axial positions along the test section, out of which four measurement locations are associated with the 90 deg experiment and three with the 45 deg experiment. The data show that the elbows have a significant effect on the development of interfacial structures as well as the bubble interaction mechanisms. Furthermore, there are characteristic similarities and differences between the effects of the two elbows. While the effect of the 45 deg elbow is evident immediately after the elbow, the 90 deg elbow effect tends to propagate further downstream of the elbow rather than immediately after the elbow. Moreover, it is shown that both elbows induce spatial oscillations in the interfacial structures and two-phase flow parameters, but the degree and the nature of oscillations differ. The effects of the elbows are also compared for the axial transport of the two-phase flow parameters.