Single-phase and two-phase flows through helical rectangular channels in single screw expander prototype

The CFD simulations are carried out for the flows in a horizontally oriented helical pipe with various inlet sectional liquid holdups and coil pitches (H). The development of the pressure fields for the single phase air flow and the air-water two-phase flow through the helical rectangular channels is studied. The points with a higher pressure often become the position of expansion leakage. The liquid phase distribution at these points can prevent the leakage of air. It is shown that the increase of the inlet sectional liquid holdup may increase the local liquid holdup at the outmost side of the helical channel. Based on the published pressure drop correlation, a new modified relation for predicting the pressure drop in the helical rectangle channel is proposed.