Study of flow patterns and void fraction in horizontal two-phase flow

Scope and Method of Study: A comprehensive literature review was carried out in regards to flow patterns and void fraction in horizontal two-phase flow. Data was collected in the laboratory to determine the flow pattern map for the setup. The resulting map was compared with the popular existing maps. Void Fraction data was collected in the laboratory and validated via uncertainty analysis and head-on comparison with external available data. Void fraction data collected in the laboratory was combined with data from external sources in order to evaluate a large number of void fraction correlations. The analysis was carried out by classifying the data according to flow patterns and void fraction ranges separately. Specific criteria were used for different categories in order to recommend a suite of correlations, each applicable to the respective category. Finally the best overall correlations were determined.;Findings and Conclusions. Five flow patterns were observed in the course of experimentation through the collection of 530 data points. The flow pattern map developed was shown to be comparable with the popular maps within reasonable deviations. This map may be used as a reference for future studies on the setup. 184 data points covering the void fraction range of 0.14 to 0.84 were collected. This dataset of known accuracy forms a reliable resource for future work. 69 void fraction correlations were tested against a combined database of 1505 points. Different correlations applicable to different flow patterns and void fraction ranges were determined. The best overall performing void fraction correlations were determined to be those by Woldesemayat & Ghajar (2007) and Minami & Brill (1987). The correlation of Woldesemayat & Ghajar (2007) was also found to be the best correlation for the data collected in the present study.