Two-phase air-water flow in micro-channels: An investigation of the viscosity models for pressure drop prediction

Abstract

Adiabatic two-phase air-water flow is experimentally studied in this work. Two channels, made of fused silica, with different diameters of 0.53 and 0.15. mm are used as test sections. The void fraction data for both tubes are obtained by image analysis. For the larger channel, the void fraction is found to be a linear relationship with the volumetric quality. In the case of the smaller one, however, the non-linear void fraction is obtained. The measured frictional pressure drop data are compared with the predictions regarding the homogeneous flow assumption. Several well-known two-phase viscosity models are subsequently evaluated for applicability to micro-channels. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.