CFD Analysis of Single and Multiphase Flow Characteristics in Elbow

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of single- phase and two-phase flow was performed in a 90 degree hori-zontal to vertical elbow with 12.7 mm inside diameter. Characteristic flow behavior was investigated at six different upstream and downstream locations of the elbow. To evaluate the effects of different phases, three different air veloci-ties and three different water velocities were used during this study. Commercial CFD code FLUENT was used to per-form analysis of both single and multiphase flows. Pressure and velocity profiles at six locations showed an increase in pressure at the elbow geometry with decreasing pressure as fluid leaves from the elbow. Pressure drop behavior ob-served to be similar for single-phase and multiphase flows. Comparison of CFD results with available empirical models showed reasonably good agreement.