Effect of Gravity on Phase Distribution Patterns of Bubbly Two-Phase Flow in a Vertical Mini Pipe

In relation to the development of the interfacial area transport equation, a precise database of the axial development of void fraction profile, interfacial area concentration and Sauter mean bubble diameter in an adiabatic nitrogen-water bubbly flow in a 5 mm-diameter mini pipe was constructed for normal and microgravity conditions using stereo image-processing. The flow measurements were performed at four axial locations (axial distance from the inlet normalized by the pipe diameter, z/D = 5.5, 34, 72 and 110) and with various flows: superficial gas velocity of 0.00434–0.0420 m/s, and superficial liquid velocity of 0.239–0.949 m/s. The effect of gravity on radial distribution of bubbles and the axial development of two-phase flow parameters is discussed in detail based on the obtained database and visual observation.© 2010 ASME