Investigation of Air-Water Flow in a Horizontal Pipe With 90 Degree Bends Using Wire Mesh Sensors

Abstract

Wire mesh sensors were used to investigate the void fraction distribution along a 9 meter long, 50.8 mm diameter, horizontal test section that contained two 90 degree bends. Deionised water and compressed air were used as the working fluids, with the bubbly flow regime achieved at a superficial liquid velocity of 3.5 m/s and superficial gas velocities that varied between 0.1 and 1.2 m/s. The effects of superficial gas velocity and axial location on the void fraction distribution were investigated. Bubble and slug flow patterns were identified using a probability density function analysis based on a Gaussian mixture model.