Statistical Modeling of Stratified Two-Phase Flow

Abstract

A new numerical model for stratified two-phase flows with wavy interface is derived in this study. Assuming an equilibrium condition between turbulent kinetic energy, potential energy, and surface energy, the turbulent length scale in the inner region of a two-layer turbulence approach can be described by a statistical model to account for the influence of the waves. The average wave number, which is an input parameter to this model, is taken from wave spectra. They can be predicted from a Boltzmann statistic of turbulent kinetic energy. The new turbulence model is compared with the two-phase k–ϵ turbulence model. Time-averaged flow properties calculated by the new approach, such as velocity, turbulence, and void profiles, are shown to be in good agreement with experimental data.