Pressure drop of bubbly two-phase flow in a square channel at reduced gravity Original Research Article

A new set of experimental pressure drop data, collected aboard the Russian IL-76MDK, is reported for bubbly air-water two-phase flow in a square channel with a cross-sectional area of 12×12mm2. The present data are compared to several frequently used empirical models, e.g. homogeneous model, Lockhart-Martinelli-Chisholm correlation and Friedelʹs model. It is shown that the predictions of the models mentioned above are generally not satisfied. A new homogeneous model is developed based on the analysis of the characteristics of bubbly two-phase flow at reduced gravity. It is tested with the present data and other data collected by other researchers in circular pipes. Some questions related to the present model are also discussed.