A Novel Model for the Prediction of Liquid Film Thickness Distribution in Pipe Gas-Liquid Flows

Abstract

A model is proposed for liquid film profile prediction in gas-liquid two-phase flow, which is able to provide the film thickness along the circumferential direction and the pressure gradient in the flow direction. A two-fluid model is used to calculate both gas and liquid phases' flow characteristics. The secondary flow occurring in the gas phase is taken into account and a sailing boat mechanism is introduced. Moreover, energy conservation is applied for obtaining the liquid film thickness distribution along the circumference. Liquid film thickness distribution is calculated accordingly for different cases; its values are compared with other models and available experimental data. As a result, the newly proposed model is tested and good performances are demonstrated. The liquid film thickness distribution in small pipes and inclined pipes is also studied, and regime transition is revealed by liquid film profile evolution. The observed inflection point demonstrates that the liquid film thickness decreases steeply along the circumference, when the circle angle ranges between 30°and 50°for gas-liquid stratified flow with small superficial velocities.