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Coalbed methane (CBM) is an increasingly important unconventional natural gas. Production logging can provide important information about the production status of each layer in a CBM well, which is crucial for developing and adjusting development plans. However, currently, only open-hole logging is done for CBM wells, and there is no mature technology for production testing of wells that produce low amounts of gas. To address this issue, a new method has been proposed in this paper for measuring the production profile of CBM wells. This method is based on the pressure difference method and measures the gas–liquid two-phase flow in a 125 mm vertical rising circular tube. The researchers established a simulation model of the CBM wellbore pressure difference method and obtained four flow patterns: bubble flow, slug flow, churn flow, and annular flow. We studied the relationship between the pressure difference and gas and water flow rates at different positions and spacing between measuring points in the wellbore. A differential pressure flowmeter without a throttling device was developed, and gas–liquid dynamic experiments were carried out through a simulation experiment platform to verify the feasibility of the flowmeter. Two well field tests were conducted in Shanxi CBM fields using differential pressure flowmeters, which accurately and quantitatively measured the stratified gas production of CBM wells. This technology can help improve the productivity and development efficiency of CBM wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate prediction of the entrained liquid droplet fraction in an annular two-phase flow regime plays a crucial role for estimating the dryout type critical heat flux to identify the optimized flow characteristics in the thermal systems across different industries. Existing studies have provided different correlations based on the limited experimental data. However, these correlations are applicable to certain operating conditions. Therefore, the present study aims at applying a deep learning method, specifically an artificial neural network (ANN), to enhance the prediction of the entrained liquid droplet fraction. Experimental data from various works on annular flow, covering a wide spectrum of pressure and flow conditions, are utilized for training the ANN model. Eight input variables, viz, superficial gas velocity (J S G ), superficial liquid velocity (J S L ), gas viscosity (μ G), liquid viscosity (μ L), gas density (ρ G), liquid density (ρ L), pipe diameter (d) and liquid surface tension (σ L V ) are considered as input features. The entrained liquid droplet fraction is the single output feature. The present model employs the Bayesian regularization backpropagation algorithm for training. The present ANN model is compared against the performance of linear regression, decision tree and support vector machine algorithms, and found that the performance of the present Bayesian regularization neural network (BRNN) model is superior within ∼ 7.5 % deviation. Further, the BRNN model is coupled with the film mass flow rate model to obtain the axial variation of the liquid film mass flow rate and good agreement is noticed when compared against the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental campaign is conducted to investigate the pressure drop during the restart of a heavy oil-water core-annular flow (CAF) from a stratified configuration in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) horizontal pipe. The evolution characteristic of restart pressure drop along time is explored, and the effects of various factors including oil holdup (0.26-0.76), oil viscosity (1.0553-3.02 Pa·s), standstill period (0.5 & 1.0 h) and water cleaning superficial velocity (0.25-1.01 m/s) on maximum restart pressure drop are emphatically investigated. The results demonstrate that the restart process can be divided into decay and steady two stages. The maximum restart pressure drop generally increases along with the increase of oil holdup, oil viscosity, standstill period and water cleaning superficial velocity. Moreover, of all the measured variables, oil holdup and water cleaning superficial velocity have a significant influence on maximum restart pressure drop. The results obtained can provide a theoretical reference and practical guidance for the development of appropriate restart schemes for on-site shutdown pipelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Engineering Mechanics / Gongcheng Lixue is the property of Engineering Mechanics Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hydrogen storage in porous geological formations can potentially provide large-scale, seasonal storage of energy. This study investigates the effect of relative permeability hysteresis on the storage processes, particularly addressing the effects on the dynamics of the hydrogen plume, on the two-phase flow regime in the wellbore, and on the storage operations. Numerical simulations of the underground hydrogen storage processes are conducted for scenarios which account for and which ignore hysteresis. The hysteretic constitutive relationships used are based on two independent, experimentally derived datasets from literature. In scenarios that account for hysteresis, the hydrogen plume is less mobile and the hydrogen mass is more dispersed than in scenarios without hysteresis. In addition, hysteresis leads to increased brine upconing and influx into the production borehole. A simple analysis of the two-phase flow regime in the borehole provides an estimate of the required minimum flow rate to ensure annular flow. Though different, both hysteretic constitutive relationships used in this study yield the same trend. All the effects of hysteresis mentioned above are detrimental for hydrogen recovery and tend to be more significant in the first few storage cycles. Operationally, these problems could be addressed by providing for a rest period between injection and production that is long enough to let the hydrogen plume accumulate near the well and potentially by the use of a cushion gas. • Analysed effects of relative permeability hysteresis in underground hydrogen storage. • Hysteresis reduces hydrogen recovery especially in initial storage cycles. • Hysteresis reduces mobility of the hydrogen plume and increases its spread and extent. • Hysteresis increases brine upconing and affects the wellbore flow regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates countercurrent air-water two-phase flow in vertical pipes with inner diameters of 26 mm and 44 mm and a height of 2000 mm, under controlled conditions to eliminate heat and mass transfer. Cutting-edge techniques were employed to measure the liquid film thickness (δ) and entrainment (e) within the annular flow pattern. The methodology involved a systematic comparative analysis of experimental results against established models, identifying the most accurate methods for predicting flow behavior. Specifically, the Schubring et al. correlation was found to most accurately predict e in 26 mm pipes, while the Wallis correlation was more accurate for 44 mm pipes. Additionally, interfacial shear stress was analyzed, confirming the high precision of the δ and e parameters. This research enhances the understanding of countercurrent air-water two-phase flow by providing reliable estimation methods for different pipe diameters and emphasizes the significance of accurately determining interfacial shear stress. Key findings include the identification of the most accurate models for different pipe sizes and addressing challenges in measuring δ and e under controlled conditions. The study's novelty lies in its comprehensive comparative analysis of existing models, leading to improved predictions of flow dynamics in vertical pipes, thereby contributing valuable insights into two-phase flow behavior in geosciences and environmental engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annular flow payload is among the first batch of space science experimental projects carried out on the Fluid Physics Rack of the China Space Station. This paper provides a detailed introduction to the development of the payload, ground validation, and in orbit experiments. The payload, sized 320 mm × 200 mm × 220 mm, includes an annular flow model and supports supply (24 V, 12 V, and 5 V), communication, and data transmission. A multi-functional heating column in the annular flow model was designed, allowing for the column to operate in fixed, rotating, and lifting scenarios. In the first round, 96 sets of space experiments covering volume ratio ranges from 0.45 to 1.06 were carried out. The annular flow liquid surface state, temperature oscillation, and infrared temperature field evolution were obtained. Mode decomposition shows the oscillatory convection of the m = 4 travelling wave, and contains m = 3, m = 6, and m = 8 waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spray drying is a widely used method for producing food powders in large quantities, but it also has a high energy demand. To address this, researchers have long aimed to increase the solid content of liquid feeds, which poses the challenge of atomizing high-viscosity liquids into fine droplets. The Air-Core-Liquid-Ring (ACLR) nozzle offers a potential solution by inducing an internal annular flow, though it faces its own limitations due to internal flow instabilities. This study investigates how the nozzle flow conditions impact spray performance under different process conditions and liquid viscosities. We found that internal lamella thickness and atomization uniformity vary with pressure, viscosity, and liquid volume flow. Nonetheless, pressure appears to be the real critical factor in that case. The Air-to-Liquid Ratio (ALR) might be more decisive for the droplet size distribution than liquid viscosity. Future research should explore higher viscosities and consider simulations to circumvent experimental limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades, studies on a void fraction of gas–liquid two-phase flow have mainly focused on straight pipes, while voidage in pipeline-riser flows have been largely neglected. In this work, the void fraction of gas–liquid two-phase flow in pipeline-riser was investigated. The test loop consists of a 12 m horizontal pipe, followed by a 2 m downward inclined pipe, and ended at a riser. Both vertical riser and catenary riser were used in the experiment. Slip in severe slugging and annular flow was more pronounced than in bubbly flow. The transition from the mixed to the separated flow occurs at gas–liquid volumetric flow rate ratio equals to 0.8. However, the separated flow forms when the gas–liquid volumetric flow rate ratio is greater than 0.9 for catenary riser. A total of 28 correlations for predicting the void fractions were evaluated with the experimental data. The Mishima and Hibiki correlation was found to be the most accurate among the studied correlations, predicting 68.5% and 69.3% of the measured data within ±30% for vertical and catenary riser, respectively. A new correlation considering the effect of the elbow is still needed for more accurate prediction of void fraction in pipeline-riser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction stir lap welding (FSLW) of dissimilar acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) was conducted using a double-pin tool. The formation process of the weld and the influences of rotational speed on the microstructure and mechanical property were investigated. It was found that the weld was generated accompanying with the closure of old cavities in the front of the pins and the simultaneous regeneration of new cavities in the rear of the pins. Annular material flow on the vertical and horizontal directions occurred during FSLW. With the increase of the rotational speed, the PC anchors resulted from the upflow of plasticized PC layer and the shoulder affected zone both enlarged. Microstructure analysis of the weld nugget showed that PC was fragmented into lamellar, columnar, and spherical particles and their dimensions decreased when rotational speed increased. Lap-shear tensile tests showed that the weld strength increased with higher rotational speed and the maximum strength of the weld produced under 800 r/min reached 19.38 MPa, which was comparable to the ABS/PC welds produced by a tapered pin under the optimal parameters. Through the further optimization of such FSLW process, it was potential to join dissimilar polymeric components in future industrial manufacturing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microchannel condensers play an essential role in cryogenic two-phase heat management systems due to their efficient heat transfer characteristics. Thus, it is worth conducting an in-depth study on microscale condensation characteristics of cryogenic fluids. This paper delves into the flow condensation process of methane in microchannels. A two-dimensional transient model with high accuracy for cryogenic fluids has been developed by combining a self-defined program for the source term of the phase transition model. The model fully considers the boundary layer thickness and accurately explores the mesh accuracy. The complete condensation flow patterns are captured for various vapor quality, mass flux, and wall subcooling degrees. The injection flow is a unique flow regime for condensation in microchannels. The decrease in wall subcooling degree and increase in mass flux leads to the separation point at the neck of the injected flow moving towards the exit, while the annular flow region is expanding and the flow pattern transition is lagging. The mass flux improves the heat transfer coefficient more significantly at high vapor quality. During injection and bubble flow, the wall shear stress and local heat transfer coefficient are subject to bouncing and oscillations, which may induce fluctuations in the upstream annular flow. The prediction performance of six classical heat transfer correlations is evaluated. The results indicate that the Nie et al. correlation has the highest comprehensive prediction accuracy with MRD and MARD of -5.00 % and 15.83 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aims to focus on the heat transfer analysis of the peristaltic flow of biviscosity fluid in an annular region between two coaxial flexible tubes with different amplitudes and phases under the influence of a radially varying magnetic field and constant rotation. In this model, the non‐Newtonian biviscosity fluid is flowing through the annulus region between the two concentric inclined tubes. The outer flexible tube is permeable and supposed to satisfy the Saffman slip condition. The governing equations for the considered problem are simplified under the assumptions of a creeping flow and long‐wavelength approximations. Semi‐analytical expressions for the axial velocity and temperature profile are obtained using the homotopy perturbation method. Here, the expressions for shear stress and stream function are also obtained. In this work, the authors discussed the impact of various flow parameters like the Hartmann number, rotation of the frame, permeability parameter, phase difference, amplitude ratios of inner and outer tubes, radius ratio, and inclination angle on the above flow variables. The streamline contour plots are also drawn for the realization of the fluid flow inside the annular endoscopic region. A noticeable result which is drawn from the present study is that phase difference ξ$\xi$ and amplitude ratio ϕ1$\phi _1$ are responsible for reduction and enhancement in temperature and axial velocity of the moving fluid, respectively. It is also found from the present examination that the rise in the strength of the applied magnetic field enhances the transverse fluctuations of peristaltically propagating waves. The comparison of the sinusoidal waveform with the various types of waveforms, such as triangular, trapezoidal, and square waveforms, in the case of a peristaltic endoscope is also discussed. The proposed model may give insights into designing a novel endoscope and decide whether such types of peristaltic endoscopes have exemplary implementations for surgical and mechanical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, represents a critical component in the transition to sustainable energy systems due to its clean and versatile nature. This research investigates the dynamic behavior of bubbles within the serpentine flow field of a Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) cell, aiming to enhance the understanding of two-phase flow dynamics and improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production. Utilizing the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method, a three-dimensional unsteady model was developed to simulate the flow dynamics at the anode of a PEMWE system. The study explores the transition of bubbles from bubbly flow to slug and annular flow, highlighting the significant impact of bubble formation on mass transport and overall cell performance. The results demonstrate that larger bubbles impede liquid water delivery to reaction sites and cause unstable pressure drops. The investigation also examines the influence of wall contact angles on bubble behavior, revealing that hydrophobic surfaces lead to increased gas coverage and more oxygen accumulation inside the channel, which hinders mass transport. These findings underscore the necessity for optimized flow channel designs and enhanced surface treatments to mitigate bubble coalescence and improve PEMWE performance. [Display omitted] • 3D VOF model simulates two-phase flow in PEMWE anode channels. • Flow patterns affect oxygen distribution and pressure drop in channels. • Annular flow reduces water supply to electrodes, impacting efficiency. • Wall wettability is crucial for bubble dynamics and PEMWE mass transport. • Hydrophilic surfaces aid bubble removal, hydrophobic surfaces cause flow hindering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a diesel hydrogenation unit in Middle East, INPLANT software is for hydraulic calculations of the two-phase flow pipeline in the reaction system. The effects of pipeline diameter, gas-liquid ratio and fluid load on the transition of two-phase flow patterns in horizontal pipelines are analyzed. The results show that the unsteady slug flow can be transformed into stable annular flow by increasing the gas-liquid ratio of the fluid; changing the pipe diameter and fluid load cannot transform the two-phase flow pattern of the pipeline studied in this paper from slug flow to annular flow; however, when the liquid phase velocity is reduced to a sufficiently low, the flow pattern can be transformed into wavy flow. The calculation results are used to guide the operation adjustment of the unit, improving the gas-liquid ratio of the fluid can eliminate the pressure fluctuations of the reaction system. It shows that the flow pattern transformation trend simulated by the software is close to the actual production, and the accuracy is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A steady Newtonian fluid flow through annular region in curved pipes is studied in this paper. The flow takes place due to an axial pressure gradient and it is three-dimensional in nature. The equations governing the flow are highly coupled and nonlinear. The solutions are obtained, analytically, using a regular perturbation method. The effects of curvature ratio (δ) , Reynolds number (Re) and the radius ratio (l) on the axial velocity and stream function are presented graphically. It is observed that, along with curvature ratio and Reynolds number, radius ratio highly affects the fluid flow in annular curved pipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air-assisted nozzles are widely used in many industrial fields. For example, in artificial snowmaking systems, air-assisted nozzles can provide a key promoting role for the nucleation and crystallization of snow. To reveal how spray behavior depends on the internal flow patterns of air-assisted nozzles, we designed an experimental platform to observe the two-phase flow inside the nozzle. The results show that the internal flow pattern of the nozzle exhibits an annular flow pattern, forming a continuous hollow conical spray. As the gas–liquid pressure ratio (GLRP) increases, the interfacial disturbance waves gradually disappear at the gas–liquid interface of the internal flow, indicating a transition from a more turbulent to a more stable flow regime. As the gas core expands, the liquid film thickness gradually decreases, promoting finer atomization and a more uniform droplet distribution. This transition from a disturbed wave pattern to a stable annular flow enhances the uniformity of the droplet distribution and the stability of the spray. When GLRP increases from 20% to 67%, the uniformity of droplet distribution improves by 17%, and the stability is enhanced by 60%. Additionally, this study examines the link between internal flow patterns and atomization, providing a dimensionless formula that correlates nozzle flow dynamics with spray quality based on experimental and simulation data. This contributes valuable insights for optimizing air-assisted nozzle design for superior spray performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a detailed description of the development and experimental results of the supercritical flow experiment payload carried on the TZ-6 cargo spacecraft, as well as a systematic verification of the out-of-cabin deployment experiment. The technical and engineering indicators of the payload deployment experiment are analyzed, and the functional modules of the payload are shown. The paper provides a detailed description of the design, installation location, size, weight, temperature, illumination, pressure, radiation, control, command reception, telemetry data, downlink data, and experimental procedures for the out-of-cabin payload in the extreme conditions of space. The paper presents the annular liquid surface state and temperature oscillation signals obtained from the space experiment and conducts ground matching experiments to verify the results, providing scientific references for the design and condition setting of space experiments and comparisons for the experimental results to obtain the flow field structure under supercritical conditions. The paper provides a specific summary and discussion of the space fluid science experiment project, providing useful references for future long-term in-orbit scientific research using cargo spacecraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the important component to guide the airflow in the classifier, installation position of the guide vane determines the width of the classification annular region and influences the flow field distribution. The influence of the guide vane positioning on the flow field in the annular region is analyzed through numerical simulation. The simulation results show the tangential velocities near the inner edge of the guide vanes increase, and the tangential velocity gradient decreases with decrease of the width of the annular region. The increases of turbulent dissipation rate near the guide vanes are beneficial to powder dispersion. However, the increases of turbulent dissipation rate near the rotor cage aren′t conducive to uniformity of the flow field. In case of the narrow annular region, the cut size gradually increases when the width of the annular region increases. However, when the width of the annular region continues to increase, the particle′s residence time become long, and the solid concentration increases significantly to increase the probability of particle aggregation. The reasonable range of the installation diameter of the guide vane in the classifier is between 504 mm and 524 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an efficient heat transfer enhancement device, a helical tube is widely used in various industrial applications and its composite heat transfer enhancement technique has also elicited widespread attention. This study proposes an innovative technique that combines sinusoidal pulsating flow with annular corrugation and then applies it to a helical tube. Numerical simulation is performed to investigate the effects of pulsation flow parameters on the structure of the flow field and the efficiency of heat transfer. Then, the mechanism of heat transfer improvement is revealed. Results show that the collaborative effects of pulsating flow and annular corrugation can enhance the turbulent intensity of the mainstream fluid. In addition, the structure of the secondary flow field is changed and synergy between the velocity field and the temperature field is enhanced further. Within the studied range, the average Nusselt number (Nu) of sinusoidal pulsating flow in a helical tube with an annular corrugated wall structure is enhanced by 16.05 % and 10.52 % compared with that of steady flow in a smooth helical tube and an annular corrugated helical tube, respectively. With an increase in the dimensionless pulsation frequency (Wo), Nu initially increases and then decreases, while the friction resistance coefficient (fD) gradually increases. As the dimensionless pulsation amplitude (A0) increases, Nu and fD gradually increase. The comprehensive thermal performance evaluation index exhibits a maximum observed value of 1.241 when Dean number = 7709, Wo = 25, and A0 = 0.25 within the studied range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and improvement of symptoms by ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for patients with large benign thyroid nodules (BTNs). Methods: Eighty-seven patients with 87 BTNs (≥ 4 cm) treated with MWA between April 2015 and March 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective multicenter study, with clinical and ultrasound examinations performed at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. A multivariable linear mixed effects model was employed to explore the alterations in volume and volume reduction ratio (VRR), as well as the potential factors associated with VRR. Results: The mean age of the 87 patients was 45.69 ± 14.21 years (range 18–76 years), and the ratio of men to women was 1:4.8. The mean volumes were much decreased at the 12th month after ablation compared to the initial volumes (p <.001). The mean VRR was 76.09% at the 12th month. The technique efficacy (VRR > 50%) was 90.80% at the 12th month. A multivariate analysis revealed that VRR was related to the initial volume (p =.015), annular flow (p =.010), and nodule composition (p =.024). The mean symptomatic score decreased from 4.40 ± 0.28 to 0.26 ± 0.06 at the 12th month (p <.001). At the same time, the mean cosmetic score decreased from 3.22 ± 0.10 to 1.31 ± 0.08 (p <.001). Conclusion: MWA could serve as a safe and effective therapy for large BTNs, significantly reducing the volume of BTNs and significantly improving compressive symptoms and appearance problems. Clinical relevance statement: Microwave ablation could serve as a safe and effective therapy for large benign thyroid nodules, leading to significant volume reduction and satisfied symptom and cosmetic alleviation period. Key Points: • This multicenter study investigated the feasibility and safety of microwave ablation for large benign thyroid nodules. • After ablation, the nodule volume was significantly reduced, and patients' symptoms and appearance problems were significantly improved. • Microwave ablation is feasible for large benign thyroid nodules and has been a supplement treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a notion of stability for non-autonomous Hamiltonian flows on two-dimensional annular surfaces. This notion of stability is designed to capture the sustained twisting of particle trajectories. The main Theorem is applied to establish a number of results that reveal a form of irreversibility in the Euler equations governing the motion of an incompressible and inviscid fluid. In particular, we show that nearby general stable steady states (i) all fluid flows exhibit indefinite twisting (ii) vorticity generically exhibits gradient growth and wandering. We also give examples of infinite time gradient growth for smooth solutions to the SQG equation and of smooth vortex patches that entangle and develop unbounded perimeter in infinite time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille (TCP) flow, characterized by the flow through an inner rotating shaft and an outer stationary cylinder, is a fundamental flow system in many industrial applications, including ship stern tubes, turbomachinery, journal bearings, and offshore drilling. Understanding the hydrodynamics of the TCP flow offers significant benefits for ensuring the robust design and operational efficiency of such systems. This paper presents the numerical modeling of turbulent TCP flow to assess the combined effects of two key control parameters-axial Reynolds number (10000-30000) and Taylor number (2.2x107-3.1x109)-on the fluid dynamics within the system. Using Reynolds Stress Modeling, this study investigates the behavior of TCP flow at high Reynolds numbers, which is relevant to real-world rotating machinery. The results indicate that the interaction between rotation and axial flow is not linear, with high rotation rates showing distinct behavior from low rotation rates, especially in the throughflow effects. At low and moderate rotation numbers (N), both the mean and turbulent variables display strong dependence on the rotational velocity and axial flow rate. However, further increases in N lead the flow field to be increasingly dominated by the contribution of rotation, and mean flow variables become relatively independent of the imposed flow rate. Furthermore, systematic deviations from the log-law in the boundary layer velocity profiles further emphasize the need to account for the combined effects of rotation and axial flow in the TCP flow system design and operation.

Annular flow refers to a special type of two-phase flow pattern in which liquid flows as a thin film at the periphery of a pipe, tube, or conduit, and gas with relatively high velocity flows at the center of the flow section. This gas also includes dispersed liquid droplets. The liquid film flow rate continuously changes inside the tube due to two processes-entrainment and deposition. To determine the liquid holdup, pressure drop, the onset of dryout, and heat transfer characteristics in annular flow, it is important to have proper knowledge of flow characteristics. Especially a better understanding of entrainment fraction is important for the heat transfer and safe operation of two-phase flow systems operating in an annular two-phase flow regime. Therefore, the objective of this work is to develop a computational model for the simulation of the annular two-phase flow regime and assess the various existing models for the entrainment rate. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS FLUENT has been applied to determine annular flow characteristics such as liquid film thickness, film velocity, entrainment rate, deposition rate, and entrainment fraction for various gas-liquid flow conditions in a vertical upward tube. The gas core with droplets was simulated using the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) which is based on the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach. The Eulerian Wall Film (EWF) model was utilized to simulate liquid film on the tube wall. Three different models of Entrainment rate were implemented and assessed through user-defined functions (UDF) in ANSYS. Finally, entrainment for fully developed flow was determined and compared with the experimental data available in the literature. From the simulations, it was obtained that the Bertodano correlation performed best in predicting entrainment fraction and the results were within the ±30 % limit when compared to experimental data.

This article discusses a focused study on visualizing the flow patterns in a two-phase pulsating heat pipe (PHP) using Fe3O4/water as the working fluid at 3 V/V% concentration. The research also aims to meticulously examine phase change phenomena in the heating section, particularly focusing on bubble formation and expansion processes. A high-speed video camera was utilized to capture dynamic insights into the behavior of the Fe3O4/water mixture. Based on the findings, a straightforward model was developed to explain bubble generation and growth in the mixture, serving as a useful reference for future PHP designs and optimizations. Visual observations also noted the stable nature of the Fe3O4/water nanofluid over a 4-day period, confirming its consistency throughout the experiments. Moreover, the impact of heat load variation on the evaporator section was assessed using controlled heat inputs ranging from 10 to 80 W. Observations on the arrangement of slugs and plugs at a 50% filling ratio revealed interesting self-adjusting flow patterns in response to increasing heat inputs, providing valuable insights into PHP operational dynamics. Notably, the oscillatory flow behavior of Fe3O4/water, the chosen working fluid, exhibited greater activity in comparison to water. This distinctive flow behavior contributed to achieving heightened thermal performance efficiency for the Fe3O4/water system, attributed to its faster attainment of the annular flow condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a three-dimensional flow channel, the laminated filter has a complex structure, and it is easy to appear phenomena such as too short blocking time and increasing head loss caused by sand interception in the operation process. According to the relationship between head loss and cross-sectional area, an annular flow channel laminated filter was proposed. The circumferential flow channel was added on the lamination surface, which increased the flow direction of the flow channel and played the role of dividing the radial flow channel, achieving the purpose of hierarchical multi-layer filtration in the lamination and improving the number of available flow channels. In order to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the linear flow channel and annular flow channel laminated filter for irrigation water filtration capacity. Through indoor comparative experiments, 120 mesh laminated filter, namely the filter particle size of 125 μm was used to test the head loss and filtration performance of the two filters under four kinds of sand grading median particle size (106, 121, 126 and 165 μm), three kinds of sediment content (0.10, 0.15 and 0.2 g/L) and five kinds of inlet flow (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5m3 /h), a total of 60 groups of tests. The dependent variables were the head loss, the sediment retention capacity and the median particle size of the interception, and the independent variables were the inlet flow, the sediment concentration and the median particle size of the inlet. The evaluation indexes were the head loss, the plugging uniformity, the sediment retention capacity and the particle size distribution of the interception sediment. The multiple regression equation was established to verify the correlation between the head loss and the filtration capacity. The entropy weight method was used to determine the optimal lamination of the head loss and the filtration capacity. The results show that: under the condition of clear water, the maximum flow head loss of the annular flow laminated filter is 9.1% lower than that of the trapezoidal linear filter. Under the condition of sandy water, the time for the head loss to reach 8m is 1.5～10 times longer than that of the trapezoidal linear filter, and the maximum head loss is reduced by 52.5%. The total sediment retention capacity is increased by 0.5%～6.3%, and the average sand removal rate is increased by 0.22% for the sand with the median particle size greater than 110μm. The siltation channels of the trapezoidal linear filter account for 25%～ 86% of the total number of channels of the trapezoidal lamination, while no siltation phenomenon is observed in the operation cycle of the annular lamination. The head loss of the two kinds of laminated filters was positively correlated with the sediment concentration, inlet flow and inlet median particle size, the sediment retention was positively correlated with the sediment concentration, inlet flow and inlet median particle size, and the interception median particle size was positively correlated with the sediment concentration and inlet median particle size. The annular flow channel laminated filter was more suitable for irrigation water with high sediment concentration and high median particle size distribution than the trapezoidal linear laminated filter. Therefore, the optimal laminated filter can be designed by considering the change of the geometric distribution of the flow channel of the laminated filter, which can reduce the filter head loss and extend its backwashing cycle without reducing the filtration capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the flow boiling heat transfer characteristics of refrigerants R134a and R407c in horizontal micro-fin tubes. We conducted experiments across a range of heat flux (15–35 kW·m−2), mass flux (50–250 kg·m−2 s−1), and saturation temperature (15 °C-25°C) conditions. Our findings reveal that R134a consistently exhibits a higher heat transfer coefficient (HTC) compared to R407c, making it advantageous for applications requiring efficient heat transfer. However, R134a also shows a tendency towards premature dry-out flow patterns at higher heat fluxes, which could limit its effectiveness under certain conditions. In contrast, R407c demonstrates more stable flow regimes, maintaining wavy-annular and annular flows without early dry-out, which highlights its robustness at higher heat fluxes. Flow pattern maps indicate that higher heat fluxes promote the formation of wavy and annular flow patterns in both refrigerants, with R134a transitioning to dry-out flows more readily than R407c. The influence of saturation temperature on HTC was also significant, with lower temperatures resulting in higher HTCs for both refrigerants. This can be attributed to the increased thermodynamic driving force for phase change at lower temperatures. Our study aligns with previous research, corroborating the critical role of micro-fin tubes in enhancing HTC. The findings have practical implications for the design and optimization of refrigeration systems, emphasizing the need to carefully select refrigerants and operating conditions to achieve efficient and stable heat transfer performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Experimental Technology & Management is the property of Experimental Technology & Management Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Interactions of heat transfer enhancement and fouling can occur due the change in nature of the surface, operating condition, or the fluid itself. Interactions arising relating to higher clean heat transfer coefficients, and higher wall shear stresses of the enhanced surfaces are discussed in this paper. On the lab-scale, enhancement was often achieved by static elements, such as wire wrapping on a heated rod in an annular flow. Lab-scale tests of necessity suffered from effects of relatively short duration of runs, and re-circulation of a batch of liquid with the danger of changing the fluid composition during experiment. Nevertheless, initial fouling rate results consistent with expected trends could be achieved for hydrocarbon fouling, and particulate fouling. There is a continued need to better represent and compare performance of plain and enhanced surfaces over prolonged operating periods in industrial heat exchangers, using commercial enhancement technologies. Example case studies are discussed which demand different methods of comparing performances. A daily averaged cost analysis is identified as a possible systematic approach on the evaluation of the economic benefit of the use of enhancement devices. This is illustrated for a case study example where tube insert is used as an enhancement option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional drilling methods often face difficulty meeting the demand for efficient and accurate coring under complex geological conditions. Cordless coring is an advanced technology that uses hydraulic lifting to carry out coring, which can achieve automation and automated and intelligent drilling operations. In this research, a new type of hydraulic lifting cordless coring drilling tool is designed. Moreover, a numerical simulation model of the fluid flow in the annulus between the spearhead and spool of the cordless coring drilling tool was established. Orthogonal simulation tests are carried out, and according to the orthogonal test data, a numerical prediction model of the spool annulus fluid field based on the Backpropagation Neural Network (BP neural network) is established. The prediction of the flow rate of the drilling fluid and the spool back-pressure ratio was obtained when the structural parameters of the spearhead and the spool annulus were different. A multi-objective optimization of the annulus flow structure of the cordless core drilling tool has been carried out. The optimization objectives include deciding the back pressure ratio of the spool overcoming the spring and the flow rate of the drilling fluid. According to the established nonlinear optimization model and based on the improved Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) multi-objective optimization algorithm, it is verified that the convergence speed and diversity of the improved algorithm are better than those before the improvement. The simulation and experimental validation are carried out. It is verified that the flow rate of drilling fluid increased by 33.56% after optimization, and the force ratio was lowered by 5.825%. Finally, based on the simulation and optimization results, the φ96 cordless core drilling tool was manufactured on a trial basis, and on-site concrete drilling, coring, and hydraulic lifting operations were conducted for smooth coring and lifting. This study could provide an important scientific basis and technical support for the application and development of hydraulic lifting cordless coring technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three types of flow channels including single serpentine, double serpentine, and parallel were compared to investigate the relationship between two-phase flows and the cell performance in the proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer. Pressure drop between the inlet and outlet was measured at the anode channel, and flow patterns affecting the cell performance were investigated using high-speed optical imaging. The single serpentine channel exhibited the best performance among the flow channels used in the experiment because an annular flow with a thin liquid film continuously provided water, preventing performance degradation. The parallel channel performed the worst owing to the slug flow accompanied by Taylor bubbles, which interrupted the water supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas flexible pipes are critical multi-layered equipment for offshore oil and gas development. Under high pressure conditions, small molecular components of natural gas dissolve into the polymer inner liner of the flexible pipes and further diffuse into the annular space, incurring annular pressure build-up and/or production of acidic environment, which poses serious challenges to the structure and integrity of the flexible pipes. Gas permeation in pipes is a complex phenomenon governed by various factors such as internal pressure and temperature, annular structure, external temperature. In a long-distance gas flexible pipe, moreover, gas permeation exhibits non-uniform features, and the gas permeated into the annular space flows along the metal gap. To assess the complex gas transport behavior in long-distance gas flexible pipes, a mathematical model is established in this paper considering the multiphase flow phenomena inside the flexible pipes, the diffusion of gas in the inner liner, and the gas seepage in the annular space under varying permeable properties of the annulus. In addition, the effect of a variable temperature is accounted. A numerical calculation method is accordingly constructed to solve the coupling mathematical equations. The annular permeability was shown to significantly influence the distribution of annular pressure. As permeability increases, the annular pressure tends to become more uniform, and the annular pressure at the wellhead rises more rapidly. After annular pressure relief followed by shut-in, the pressure increase follows a convex function. By simulating the pressure recovery pattern after pressure relief and comparing it with test results, we deduce that the annular permeability lies between 123 and 512 mD. The results help shed light upon assessing the annular pressure in long distance gas flexible pipes and thus ensure the security of gas transport in the emerging development of offshore resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unsteady flow field in the aerostatic bearing always induces micro-vibrations, which are severely detrimental to the stability and precision of the bearing. Extensive research has been conducted on the mechanism of micro-vibration, but a consensus has not yet been reached. To this end, the large eddy simulation (LES) and proper orthogonal decomposition methods were employed to analyze the flow field of an annular aerostatic bearing in this paper. A mechanism for inducing micro-vibration and the identification of a novel flow behavior were ultimately revealed. First, the accuracy of our LES method has been validated through quantitative comparison with experimental data. Then, the mode decomposition has been conducted to analyze the flow field under various gas supply pressures. The results demonstrate that when the supply pressure Ps = 0.4 MPa, the micro-vibration is dominated by a pair of adjacent large-scale vortices with low frequencies in the recess. However, when Ps = 0.5 and 0.6 MPa, the convection and shearing processes near the orifice outlet and the rectangular recess inlet become intense, resulting in the displacement of large-scale vortices. Eventually, the small-scale high-frequency pressure fluctuation structures have been also observed, which are closely related to the convection process within recess. With the increase in gas supply pressure, the high-frequency pressure fluctuations at the circular recess outlet gradually diminish, while those at the orifice outlet emerge and gradually enlarge. Meanwhile, the mode dominant frequency is transferred from around 200 kHz to around 1000 kHz. The energy fraction of the high-frequency pressure fluctuations is also greatly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow mechanism of internal two-phase flow atomization remains unclear despite its widespread applications. A newly outside-in-liquid (OIL) atomizer is designed to investigate the two-phase flow mechanism inside the effervescent atomizer in this work. Numerical simulation is used to study the internal flow characteristics of the OIL atomizer under different gas–liquid mass flow ratios (GLRs). The findings indicate that the volume-of-fluid (VOF) model and compressible Euler method effectively capture the intricate evolution of the internal flow. The cavitation phenomenon occurs before the gas phase reaching the orifice. Subsequently, the cavitation phenomenon disappears as the gas phase flows downstream into the orifice. At different GLRs, the gas phase before reaching the mixing chamber is a single separated bubble. However, the final flow patterns are mainly annular flow, which is most obvious at high GLR. Increasing the GLR can increase the gas void fraction in the orifice. Furthermore, the gas void fraction will reach the peak faster and then remain stable. The two phases are accelerated after entering the orifice. Among them, the flow velocity of gas phase is much higher than that of liquid phase. This research demonstrates the notable impact of GLR on the internal flow. Furthermore, it addresses the existing research gap in this aspect of internal flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The design of the maize metering device involves centrifugal variable diameter pneumatic and cleaning mechanisms, aiming to enhance the performance and power efficiency of pneumatic maize metering devices. Leveraging the impact of changes in centrifugal diameter and the guidance and positioning of airflow, we optimize the hole insert, seeding plate, seed limit board, and integrated front shell. This optimization facilitates the adjustment of both the quantity and posture of seed filling. As a result, seeds can form a uniform flow within the annular cavity, reducing the wind pressure necessary for regular operation and decreasing power consumption. Methods: A quadratic regression orthogonal rotation combination experiment is conducted using a self-made experiment bench, considering ground speed, wind pressure, and seeding rate as the experiment factors. Furthermore, a comparative experiment involving a novel centrifugal variable-diameter type metering device. Results: The results indicate optimal seeding performance when the ground speed is 13.2 km/h, the wind pressure is 1.2 kPa, and the feeding rate is 25 seeds/s. Under these conditions, the quality of feed index reaches 95.20%, the multi-index is 3.87%, and the miss index is 0.93%. Findings reveal that the developed seed metering device achieved a quality of feed index exceeding 93.00% across varying speeds of 12~18 km/h, aligning with the production requirements. Moreover, the actual power consumption of Type B and C is about 85.00% and 98.00% lower than Type A, standing at only 32.90 W at 18 km/h. The COP of Type C is about 86 times and 12 times that of Type A and B, respectively, meeting the demands for efficient production of maize seed metering devices. Discussion: In comparison to traditional design and structural parameter optimization methods for maize seed metering device, this study is helpful to the sustainable development of maize industry and reduce environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VOF model and user-defined function were applied to simulate the flow boiling process of water in microchannel with V-cavities. The effects of V-cavity asymmetry (ε) and distribution on the bubble growth and detachment and the transition of gas-liquid two-phase flow in microchannel were analyzed. The results show that the magnitude of the V-cavity asymmetry can change the bubble detachment diameter and detachment time. The bubble detachment diameter of the V-cavity with asymmetry ε of 1.0 is 0.063 mm and 0.025 mm smaller than that of the V-cavity with ε of 0 and ε of 0.5, and the bubble detachment time is shortened by 5.20 ms and 2.40 ms, respectively. The transition of gas-liquid two-phase flow from bubbly flow to confined bubble flow is 2.7 mm backward along the flow direction, and the occupied area of the segment annular flow in microchannel is reduced slightly. When the V-cavity with ε of 1.0 has different distribution along the flow direction, the gas-liquid two-phase flow in microchannel presents different characteristics. The V-cavity with increasingly dense distribution can better inhibit the coalescence of bubbles in microchannel without segment annular flow, which can ensure the existence of liquid film near the wall to avoid the local drying for improving the stability and reliability of flow boiling heat transfer in microchannel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding droplet sizes is crucial for modeling gas–liquid annular flow and has many applications across various industries. This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis of experimental data on droplet-size characteristics in gas–liquid annular flow from the open-source literature. The existing models for droplet-size predictions are evaluated against experimental data. Based on the data analysis, we propose two new correlations to predict the maximum droplet diameter and Sauter mean droplet diameter. Model evaluation and parametric study show that the new correlations capture the effects of fluid properties and flowing conditions on the droplet diameters well, outperforming other existing models. The average absolute relative errors are reduced to 14.8% and 29% for the maximum droplet diameter and the Sauter mean droplet diameter, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper presents a theoretical analysis of swirl flow stability, both inside a tube (vortex tube) and in a free annular swirl flow. The starting concept is the study of the evolution of velocity and temperature fluctuations. Methods of non-equilibrium thermodynamics are used to describe the magnitude of fluctuations and their properties. The important role of the total enthalpy follows from a variational analysis. Moreover, the thermodynamic criterion of the stability is formulated using the total enthalpy, and compared with experiments, numerical results and classical Rayleigh theory support its applicability. It was shown that the solid body vortex is at the margin of stability, which is experimentally observed. Analogously, the potential vortex is by the thermodynamic criterion stable; however, by the Rayleigh criteria it is on the onset of stability. The classical Taylor experiment of flow between two rotating cylinders is analysed from the point of view of this criterion. These results are underlined by swirl tube experiments at the Institute of Aerospace Thermodynamics at Stuttgart University and the annular nozzle experiments performed in the Institute of Thermomechanics CAS in Prague. Both independent experiments confirm the transformation of the initial annular vortex into a stable potential-type vortex. The results of this theory can also be used to explain the exceptional stability of tropical cyclones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Atomic Energy Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Board of Atomic Energy Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The complex tip flow instability and its induced non-synchronous vibration have become significant challenges, especially as aerodynamic loading continues to increase. This study investigates the effects of tip clearance on non-synchronous propagating flow disturbances of compressor rotors under high aerodynamic loading conditions by conducting full-annulus unsteady numerical simulations with three typical tip clearance values for a 1-1/2 stage transonic compressor. The non-synchronous aerodynamic excitation frequency, circumferential mode characteristics, and annular unstable flow structures are analyzed under near stall conditions. The results show that the total pressure ratio and normalized mass flow parameters first increase and then decrease as the tip clearance increases from 0.5%C (where C represents the tip chord length) to 2%C under high aerodynamic loading conditions, instead of constantly decreasing. For the 0.5%C tip clearance case, the traveling large-scale tornado-like separation vortices cause a low non-synchronous aerodynamic excitation frequency and severe pressure fluctuations. The periodic shedding and reattachment processes of the rotor blades separated by 2 – 3 pitches result in 19 dominant mode orders in the circumferential direction. As the tip clearance increases from 1%C to 2%C, the difference of tip flow structures in each blade passage is significantly weakened, and the dominant mode order of the disturbance is equal to the rotor blade-passing number. The pressure fluctuation is mainly caused by cross-channel tip leakage flow, and the aerodynamic excitation frequency exhibits evident broadband hump characteristics, which has been reported as a rotating instability phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the electro-osmotic flow of a biological fluid (blood with varying cholesterol levels) in annular flow to simulate a first approximation to arterial occlusion. The fluid´s rheology is characterized by amulti-modal convectedMaxwell model equation. The charge density follows the Boltzmann distribution, governing the electrical field. Mathematically, this scenario can be modeled by the Poisson–Boltzmann partial differential equation. Assuming a small zeta potential (less than 25mV) using the Debye–Huckel approximation and considering a pulsatile electrical field, analytical solutions are derived using the Fourier transform formalism. These solutions, expressed in terms of the modified Bessel function, provide transfer functions for axial velocity and volumetric flow as functions of material parameters represented by characteristic dimensionless numbers. This study further analyzes thermal, electric, inertial, viscoelastic, and various interactions within the plasma, hematocrit, hematocrit–cholesterol, and cholesterol–cholesterol as well as weight concentration through numerical simulations. Finally, the flow and rheology predictions are validated using experimental data on human blood with varying cholesterol levels. The obtained transfer functions reveal that the electric–thermal–viscoelastic effects and the multiple geometric relationships contribute to the dynamic response of the interactions between the input electrical field and output volumetric flow and shear stress functions, leading to and evolution of resonance curves. It is noteworthy that electro-osmotic flow in blood with pathologies associated with low and high cholesterol has been scarcely reported in the literature on rheology. Thus, this work represents a significant contribution to the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the drilling of ultra-deep wells, gas kick often occurs, influenced by the complex void pressure profile. The accurate description of particle settling behavior in the gas–liquid mixture is of great significance to effectively deal with gas kicks and ensure drilling safety. In this study, the gas–liquid two-phase annulus flow with different gas volume fractions is created through the transparent annular pipe, constant pressure air pump, and gas flowmeter. High-speed photography is used to record and analyze the sedimentation of particles in gas–liquid mixtures. This study is based on 288 tests. The main parameters in this experiment include the particle Reynolds number, the gas fraction, and liquid viscosity. The effects of wall and gas fraction on the drag coefficient were analyzed. The correlation of particle terminal settling velocity was established. The results obtained show a correlation with average absolute errors (AAE) of 10.7%. This study reveals the settling characteristics of particles in the annular gas–liquid mixed flow, provides an accurate terminal settling velocity prediction explicit formula, and provides guidance for the calculation of bottom hole pressure under the condition of gas kick. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern aerospace industry, the importance of a lubrication system is self-evident for aero-engines, and the aero-engine bearing chamber return line is an even more challenging environment, as it involves a complex two-phase flow. The designer of the scavenge pipe needs to have an accurate understanding of the flow conditions in the scavenge pipe. This paper establishes a visual scavenge pipe test system. The flow direction was vertical flow, the test temperature was 370 k, and a high-speed camera was used to take high-definition flow photographs, which can observe the three main flow types: bubble flow, slug flow, and annular flow. Code program was created to analyze many pictures taken to obtain the apparent flow rate and perimeter of bubbles in the pipe under different flow conditions and to explore the gas–liquid two-phase flow in the scavenge pipe. A support vector machine (SVM) was used for data regression prediction, and the converted velocities of the gas–oil phases were inputted as eigenvalues to obtain the predicted values of bubble-flow velocity. The bubble-flow analysis prediction model established in this paper has a good prediction effect with root mean square error RMSE = 0.0172, which can more objectively and accurately describe the bubble-flow characteristics in the scavenge pipe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille (TCP) flow, characterized by the flow through an inner rotating shaft and an outer stationary cylinder, is a fundamental flow system in many industrial applications, including ship stern tubes, turbomachinery, journal bearings, and offshore drilling. Understanding the hydrodynamics of the TCP flow offers significant benefits for ensuring the robust design and operational efficiency of such systems. This paper presents the numerical modeling of turbulent TCP flow to assess the combined effects of two key control parameters-axial Reynolds number (10000-30000) and Taylor number (2.2x107-3.1x109)-on the fluid dynamics within the system. Using Reynolds Stress Modeling, this study investigates the behavior of TCP flow at high Reynolds numbers, which is relevant to real-world rotating machinery. The results indicate that the interaction between rotation and axial flow is not linear, with high rotation rates showing distinct behavior from low rotation rates, especially in the throughflow effects. At low and moderate rotation numbers (N), both the mean and turbulent variables display strong dependence on the rotational velocity and axial flow rate. However, further increases in N lead the flow field to be increasingly dominated by the contribution of rotation, and mean flow variables become relatively independent of the imposed flow rate. Furthermore, systematic deviations from the log-law in the boundary layer velocity profiles further emphasize the need to account for the combined effects of rotation and axial flow in the TCP flow system design and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, numerical simulations are performed to predict two-phase annular flow of refrigerant R245fa inside a 3.4 mm diameter vertical channel. The VOF (Volume of Fluid) method implemented in an OpenFOAM solver is used to accurately track the vapor-liquid interface. A 2D axisymmetric domain is considered and the Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) method is applied to the cells near the liquid/vapor interface. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations are solved and the k-ω SST model is adopted for turbulence modelling in both the liquid and vapor phase. Simulations are used to calculate instantaneous and mean values of the liquid film thickness at mass flux G = 100 kg m-2 s-1 and vapor quality ranging between 0.2 and 0.85. Numerical results are compared against measurements of the liquid film thickness taken during vertical annular downflow. Previous works from the literature and the deviations observed between present numerical and experimental results suggest the need for turbulence damping at the vapor-liquid interface by adding a source term in the ω equation. The simulations show that a low value of the turbulence damping parameter (e.g. 1) causes the average liquid film thickness to increase by 25 %–52 % compared to the non-damped scenario. The interface presents large amplitude disturbance waves in the non-damped case, whereas small ripple waves are predicted when turbulence damping is introduced. Furthermore, the difference between the application of a symmetric and asymmetric treatment for the source term is analysed. From the comparison between experimental data and numerical simulations, it emerges that the value of the correct damping source term to be applied is strictly dependent on the vapor quality.