Experimental and numerical study of the flow and heat transfer in a bubbly turbulent flow in a pipe with sudden expansion

Abstract

The flow patterns and heat transfer of a downstream bubbly flow in a sudden pipe expansion are experimentally and numerically studied. Measurements of the bubble size were performed using shadow photography. Fluid phase velocities were measured using a PIV system. The numerical model was employed the Eulerian approach. The set of RANS equations was used for modelling two-phase bubbly flows. The turbulence of the carrier liquid phase was predicted using the Reynolds stress model. The peak of axial and radial fluctuations of the carrier fluid (liquid) velocity in the bubbly flow is observed in the shear layer. The addition of air bubbles resulted in a significant increase in the heat transfer rate (up to 300%). The main enhancement in heat transfer is observed after the point of flow reattachment.