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A Study of Gas‐Liquid Two‐Phase Flow in a Horizontal Tube Under Microgravity
Author(s) -
CHOI BUHONG,
FUJII TERUSHIGE,
ASANO HITOSHI,
SUGIMOTO KATSUMI
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb05916.x
Subject(s) - hypergravity , mechanics , turbulence , pressure drop , gravity of earth , flow coefficient , flow (mathematics) , two phase flow , geology , physics , gravitational field , classical mechanics , astrobiology
A bstract : A better understanding of the effect of gravity level on two‐phase flow characteristics is crucial for designing two‐phase heat transport systems and thermal control systems for space. Hence, an experiment was conducted aboard MU‐300 aircraft, as well as at normal gravity using the same horizontal tube, 10mm internal diameter and flow conditions. The experimental results, obtained under Earth, hypergravity (2 g ), and microgravity environments were compared with previous models. Flow pattern data were compared with data from models for predicting microgravity flow pattern transitions. The mean void fraction under μ g and 1 g conditions was also compared with the Inoue‐Aoki model for vertical upward annular flow at normal gravity. Frictional pressure drop fitted well with the Lockhart‐Martinelli model, slightly influenced by the change in gravity levels (μ g , 1 g , and 2 g ); however, the effect of changing gravity on the pressure drop was insignificant for turbulent flow.