CHARACTERIZING INTERFACIAL PHENOMENA IN 1.27-CM PIPE BUBBLY FLOW

In most thermal-hydraulic-system analysis codes, the interfacial area concentration is given by empirical correlations that are based on two-phase flow regimes criteria. To better represent the effects of interfacial structure and regime transition, the interfacial-area-transport equation is used to replace the flow-regime dependent correlation. In order to evaluate the model, the local two-phase flow parameters are obtained in a 1.27-cm ID vertical adiabatic co-current air-water .loop in bubbly flow conditions, by which the one-group interfacial area transport equation is evaluated. The model and the data are within the error of ± 10%.