Development on Simulation Method for Two-Phase Flow in Large Diameter Pipes With 90 Degree Elbows

Two-phase flows are observed in various industrial plants and piping systems. Understanding two-phase flow behaviors such as flow patterns and unsteady void fraction in horizontal and vertical pipes are crucial in improving plant safety. Notably, the flow patterns observed in a large diameter pipe (approx. 4–6 in or larger) are significantly different from those observed in a medium diameter pipe. In a vertical large diameter pipe, no slug flow is observed due to the instantaneous slug bubble breakup caused by the surface instability. Besides, in a horizontal pipe, flow regime transition from stratification of liquid and gas to slug (plug) flow that induces unsteady flow should be taken into account. From this viewpoint, it is necessary to predict the flow regime in horizontal and vertical large diameter pipes with some elbows and to evaluate the unsteady flow regime. In this study, the simulation method based on the two-fluid model is developed. The two-fluid model is considered the most accurate model because the governing equations for mass, momentum, and energy transfer are formulated for each phase. When using the two-fluid model, some constitutive equations should be given in computing the momentum transfer between gas and liquid phases. In this study, several state-of-art constitutive equations of the bubble diameter, the interfacial drag force and non-drag forces such as the lift force and the bubble-bubble collision force, are implemented in the platform of ANSYS FLUENT. The developed simulation method is validated with visualization results and force from an air-water flow at the elbow of the piping system.