CFD Analysis on Taylor Slug Flow Through 3D Vertical Mini-Channel Available to Purchase

The hydrodynamic behavior of a gas-liquid flow through circular mini-channel is studied. The gas-liquid flow in Taylor slug flow regime for a mini-channel is modeled using volume of fluids method. The Taylor slug length has direct influence on radial heat transfer and heat transfer rate. So it is important to study the characteristic of such flow regimes. The simulation is carried out first with 2D geometry. The results are then obtained in order to appreciate the effect of third dimension on hydrodynamics of Taylor’s slug flow. The effect of different inlet geometries is studied by varying the inlet angle to the main channel which includes 60°, 90°, 120° and 180° angular orientations. The effect of different gas and liquid velocities (0.01m/s, 0.025m/s, 0.05m/s, 0.1m/s), the effect of channel size (0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, 4mm), and the effect of diverse contact angles (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 135°) are simulated and studied. Simulation results show that surface tension plays a dominant role in determining the slug properties. Liquid wall contact angle is important parameter in determining the slug shape and size. This study will be useful in proper selection and configuration of mini-channel for gas-liquid mass transfer and reaction.