Air–Water Two-Phase Flow Dynamics Analysis in Complex U-Bend Systems through Numerical Modeling
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Geometry of Computational Model
2.2. Mesh Structure and Design Parameters
2.3. Numerical Model
2.3.1. Eulerian Model
- Interphase Momentum Exchange Relations
2.3.2. Numerical Setup
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Local Air Void Fraction
3.2. Phase Velocity
3.3. Validation of the Results
4. Conclusions
- The observed flow patterns, including the development of plug flow, the formation of Taylor bubbles with local annular flow, and the transition to churn flow, underscore the significant influence of bend geometry and airflow rates on multiphase flow behavior.
- Bubbles form extended chords and elongated bubbles as plugs due to density variations in the upstream region. However, these chords break up upon entering the first vertical 90-degree bend, transitioning into single slugs or Taylor bubbles. This phenomenon is driven by the critical role of body forces and buoyancy effects on bubble interactions. Thus, employing interphase relations is significant in terms of computational accuracy.
- In the downward vertical flow, local water phase velocities accelerate, influenced by body forces. Taylor bubbles get trapped between the accelerating liquid phase and the inner wall, leading to significant air accumulation and a detected void fraction of 85% in the inner cross-section of the wall. However, it is found that the gas phase accumulation effect can be reduced by increasing the airflow rate. It may be worthwhile to consider increasing the flow rate of the gas phase to avoid air accumulations for practical applications, including such U-bends.
- A turbulence effect, leading to a local transition to churn flow, is observed after the last elbow, driven by increased water velocity impacting the bottom of the wall and the centrifugal effect of the elbow. However, bubble clustering reoccurs in the upper section, resembling plugs, and turbulence effects diminish in the downstream section.
- The Eulerian–Eulerian approach (separated flow theory) yields reasonable results to predict the flow characteristics of air–water flow in elbows, as appropriate sub-models for phase interactions are employed.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Definition | Symbol | Unit | |
---|---|---|---|
Density | ρw | 997.3 | kg/m3 |
Dynamic viscosity | μw | 0.0009107 | kg/m·s |
Volumetric flow rate | 180 | L/min | |
Mass flux rate | Gw | 2380.9 | kg/m2s |
Superficial velocity | jw | 2.4 | m/s |
Definition | Symbol | Unit | |
---|---|---|---|
Density | ρa | 1.196 | kg/m3 |
Dynamic viscosity | μa | 0.0000183 | kg/m·s |
Volumetric flow rate | 30; 35; 40 | L/min | |
Mass flux rate | Ga | 0.479; 0.559; 0.639 | kg/m2s |
Superficial velocity | ja | 0.622; 0.725; 0.829 | m/s |
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Kükrer, E.; Eskin, N. Air–Water Two-Phase Flow Dynamics Analysis in Complex U-Bend Systems through Numerical Modeling. Computation 2024, 12, 81. https://doi.org/10.3390/computation12040081
Kükrer E, Eskin N. Air–Water Two-Phase Flow Dynamics Analysis in Complex U-Bend Systems through Numerical Modeling. Computation. 2024; 12(4):81. https://doi.org/10.3390/computation12040081
Chicago/Turabian StyleKükrer, Ergin, and Nurdil Eskin. 2024. "Air–Water Two-Phase Flow Dynamics Analysis in Complex U-Bend Systems through Numerical Modeling" Computation 12, no. 4: 81. https://doi.org/10.3390/computation12040081