Two-Phase Flow Induced Force Fluctuations on Pipe Bend

In this study, fluctuating force induced by both upward and horizontal gas-liquid two-phase flow on 90 degree pipe bend at atmospheric condition was investigated. First, the database comprised of dynamic force signals and two-phase flow parameters such as volumetric fluxes, area averaged void fraction and pressure fluctuations covering entire two-phase flow regimes was developed for both flow orientations. Then, study was conducted to develop a model which is capable of predicting the force fluctuation frequency and magnitudes particularly for the slug flow regime. The model was fundamentally developed from the local instantaneous two-fluid model which was applied to the control volume around the elbow test section. Main contribution of the force fluctuation of two-phase flow is from the momentum and pressure fluctuations for most of the flow regimes. For slug flow regime, however, water-hammer like impact was produced by the collision of liquid slug against the structure surface. In order to consider that effect, the liquid slug impact force model was developed. The model utilizes two-group interfacial area concentration correlation to treat the flow regime transition without an abrupt discontinuity. It was found that the newly developed model is capable of predicting two-phase flow induced force fluctuation and dominant frequency range with satisfactory accuracy for flow regimes up to churn-turbulent.