International Journal of Multiphase Flow, Vol.22, No.6, 1105-1122, 1996
2-Phase Stratified Flow Splitting at a T-Junction with an Inclined Branch Arm
The objective of this study is to investigate, experimentally and theoretically, two-phase splitting under stratified wavy flow conditions at a regular horizontal T-junction with an inclined branch arm. Experimental data have been acquired with the side arm at horizontal conditions, downward inclination angles of -5, -10, -25, -40 and -60 degrees, and upward inclinations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 35 degrees from the horizontal. The data reveal that gravity forces have a significant effect on the Bow splitting. For downward inclination of the side arm more liquid is diverted into the branch arm, as compared to the case in which the side arm was horizontal. All the liquid was found to be diverted into the branch arm when the branch arm inclination was increased to -60 degrees. For upward inclination angles a significant amount of the inlet gas has to be diverted into the side arm in order to get any liquid to flow into that arm. However, once liquid has started Bowing, not much more additional gas has to be diverted into the side arm to get all of the Liquid to flow into the branch. At 35 degrees almost all the gas has to be diverted for any liquid Bow into the branch. A mechanistic model has been developed for the prediction of the splitting phenomenon for both the horizontal and the downward orientations of the side arm. The model is based on the momentum equations applied for the separation streamlines of the gas phase and the liquid phase. Very good agreement is observed between the prediction of the model and the data acquired for all the cases.
Keywords:2-PHASE FLOW;HORIZONTAL INLET