A Method for Modeling Fluidelastic Instability of Tube Arrays Subjected to Two-Phase Flows

In this paper, a new model is introduced for predicting the tube response and onset of Fluidelastic Instability (FEI) in tube arrays subjected to two-phase cross-flow. The model is developed based on the methodology proposed by Hassan and Weaver [1] for single-phase flows. The velocity and pressure distribution around the tubes are found using the continuity and momentum equations over a simplified flow channel. The two-phase fluid is modelled by discretizing the flow channel into layers, each having a different void fraction based on the homogeneous equilibrium model. The results obtained agree well with the experimental data available, while the computational cost is significantly reduced when compared to other existing models.