A mechanistic analysis of shell-side two-phase flow in an idealised in-line tube bundle

David Archibald McNeil, Azmahani Sadikin, Khalid H. Bamardouf

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper reports on an experimental study of air–water mixtures flowing through an idealised shell and tube, in-line heat exchanger. Void fraction measurements are reported for the minimum gaps between the tubes at near atmospheric conditions. The pressure distributions around some tubes are also
reported. These data are combined with data available in the open literature to investigate pressure drop and void fraction prediction methods for these heat exchangers. The data are shown to be flow pattern dependent. Criteria for flow pattern boundaries are deduced from previously published flow maps. Void
fraction data in the maximum gap between the tubes are shown to be compatible with the drift flux model and to be different in magnitude to the minimum gap values, which are shown to result from acceleration phenomena in the gaps between the tubes. The pressure drop data are analysed through a
one-dimensional model that incorporates separation and re-attachment phenomena. The frictional pressure drop is shown to depend on a liquid layer located on the upper portion of the tubes at low gas velocity and on acceleration effects at high gas velocity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)53–69
Number of pages17
JournalInternational Journal of Multiphase Flow
Volume45
Issue numberOctober 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

Keywords

  • Heat exchangers
  • Void fraction
  • Pressure drop
  • Drift flux
  • Drag coefficient
  • Flow pattern

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A mechanistic analysis of shell-side two-phase flow in an idealised in-line tube bundle'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this