Real-time reconstruction of a slug regime with a collimated infrared transceiver

Abstract

Two-phase flows are indispensable in the design of nuclear reactors, space thrusters, heat exchangers, micro total analyzers, and micro-reactors. The present work investigates the irradiation behavior of an infrared (IR) transceiver equipped with a bi-convex lens and its impact on characterizing specific two-phase flow regimes. The study focuses on slug flow in a 3 mm diameter glass tube. The limitations associated with conventional conical IR projections from an IR transceiver are addressed by employing a single-sensor configuration of a collimated IR beam. A novel technique is proposed to relate the measured current signal with liquid film thickness, enabling a real-time two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction. The study highlights the potential of IR-based techniques for real-time monitoring of two-phase flow regimes in three dimensions.