Numerical Simulation of the Air-Water Two-Phase Flow Across a 90-Degree Vertical-Upward Elbow

Abstract The present study investigates the air-water two-phase flow across a 90-degree vertical-upward elbow with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model and the Multi Size Group (MUSIG) model are used to predict the development of the detailed interfacial structures between the two phases. The axial development of the void fraction and the interfacial area concentration are investigated and benchmarked with the experimental data measured using the four-sensor conductivity probe. It is concluded that CFD simulation can predict the characteristics distributions of void fraction and interfacial area concentration and their development downstream of the elbow. The double-peaked void fraction distribution is found to be caused by the secondary flow induced by the elbow. The liquid phase on the outer curvature moves to the inner curvature and forms a double counter rotating vortex, entraining the bubbles to form a double-peaked distribution. The elbow effects become dissipated between 33 and 63 hydraulic diameters. The simulation results of liquid-phase and gas-phase parameters can be used to develop the theoretical two-phase flow models for the elbow region.