Visualization and void fraction distribution of downward gas–liquid two-phase flow in a plate heat exchanger by neutron radiography

Adiabatic vertically downward air–water two-phase flows in a commercial plate heat exchanger were visualized by a neutron radiography method as a non-destructive test in order to clarify the flow characteristics and the differences of the liquid distributions from those of the vertically upward flows. Flow behaviors in a single channel and a multi-channel plate heat exchanger were investigated. From the visualized results of the flows in a single channel, it was shown that water fell down without a spreading at a lower gas volumetric flux of less than about 2 m/s. In the case of a higher gas volumetric flux above 2 m/s, liquid spread around the enlarged section and the liquid distribution in the main part of the heat exchanger seemed to be homogenous. Measured average void fractions for the air–water downward flows showed almost the same tendency as those for the upward flows in spite of the difference of the flow patterns. On the other hand, liquid distributions into 18 parallel channels were evaluated from the measured results of the liquid volumetric fractions in each channel. It was shown that the liquid distribution depended on the inlet liquid flow rate. However, the effect of the gas flow rate was a little. In the case of higher liquid flow rate, the liquid fraction became higher with a deeper channel due to a larger liquid momentum. However, in the case of a lower liquid flow rate, the opposite tendency was observed, i.e., the liquid fraction in the nearest channel to the inlet was higher.