A two‐fluid model for non‐equilibrium two‐phase critical discharge

Abstract

Abstract A general two‐fluid model is developed to predict critical (choked) flow of initially saturated or subcooled flow from pipes and nozzles. The model contains improvements in the basic formulation, constitutive relations and solution technique over previously published models. It consists of six conservation equations as well as a seventh equation representing bubble growth in bubbly flow. It allows for hydrodynamic as well as thermal non‐equilibrium. The model considers the development of three flow regimes, namely, bubbly, churn and annular flow regimes. The model predictions were compared with the limited available experimental data for which the axial pressure distributions were recorded. Excellent agreement was obtained.