Measurement and modeling of average void fraction, bubble size and interfacial area

The local void fraction, bubble size and interfacial area concentration for co-current air-water bubbly flow through a horizontal pipe of 50.3 mm internal diameter were investigated experimentally using the double-sensor resistivity probe method. The local and area-averaged void fractions and interfacial area concentrations were analyzed as a function of liquid and gas flow rates. These parameters were found to increase systematically with decreasing liquid flow and increasing gas flow. However, variations with the liquid flow were not as significant as with the gas flow. A consistent variation of the gas phase drift velocity and distribution parameter with the liquid flow rate was observed. It was demonstrated that presentation of the average void fraction in terms of flowing volumetric concentration was more appropriate for horizontal bubbly flow. Several bubble break-up mechanisms were discussed. It was concluded that average pressure fluctuations generated by the turbulent liquid fluctuations acting across a bubble diameter are the only mechanism which causes distortion of a bubble. Based on this force and the competing surface tension force, a theoretical model was developed for mean bubble size and interfacial area concentration. The theoretically predicted mean bubble size and interfacial area concentration were found to agree reasonably well with those measured by the double-sensor resistivity method.