Interfacial Area Concentration and Void Fraction of Two-Phase Flow in Narrow Rectangular Vertical Channels

Abstract

Adiabatic concurrent vertical two-phase flow of air and water through narrow rectangular channels, gap widths 1 mm and 2 mm, was investigated. This study involved the observation of flow using a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. These images were then digitized and examined by applying an image processing technique to determine local average void fraction and local average interfacial area concentration. The void fraction data were then plotted using a drift flux plot to determine the distribution parameter and vapor drift velocity for each separate flow regime.