Adiabatic Flow of Flashing Liquids in Pipes

Abstract

The assumption of a homogeneous fluid in thermodynamic equilibrium has frequently been made in describing the behavior of a vapor-liquid mixture flowing in constant area pipes. Although this flow model is acceptable for a range of conditions, its extensive use has been prohibited by the large amount of computational labor involved. In the present paper the equations of this flow model are reviewed, several conventional but unnecessary restrictions are removed, and computed results are presented on working charts suitable for practical purposes. Critical flow rates and the amount of subcooling necessary to avoid flashing in the pipe were given special attention.