Some Observations of Flow Patterns and Statistical Properties of Three Component Flows

Abstract

Air-water flows, solids-water flows and three component air-solids-water flows in a vertical pipe have been investigated in a Three Component Flow Facility. Visual observations of the patterns show that the three component flow exhibits strong unsteady vertical motions which do not occur in the two phase flows studied. Quantitative results of the fluctuating component of the cross-sectionally averaged volume fraction measurements are presented, and related to the nature of the flows. The ratio of the steady component to the r.m.s of the fluctuating component of the volume fraction measurement (Signal To Noise Ratio) is found to be a good flow structure indicator. Remarkably, the solids-water flows and the bubbly air-water flows exhibit almost identical signal to noise ratios for the same volume fraction. However, the corresponding values for the three component flows reflect greater fluctuations corresponding to the vertical structures.

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