Passive control of gas–liquid flow in a separator unit using an apertured baffle in a parallel-flow condenser

• A liquid–gas separator unit with an apertured baffle was constructed.
• Liquid–gas separation characteristics of the unit were investigated.
• The liquid-separation efficiency, flooding limit and drain limit were discussed.
• The flow distribution in the header of the unit was visually observed.

A transparent separation unit with an apertured baffle for liquid–gas separation was constructed using acrylic resin. The phase-separation characteristics were examined using air and water as working fluids. The drain limit, flooding limit, and liquid level in the header of the unit were determined under different inlet liquid and gas superficial velocities. The performances of the unit were evaluated by analyzing the effects of pressure, gravity, and capillary force. The liquid-separation efficiency of the separator was determined by the inlet flow patterns. The unit showed strong liquid–gas separation effects at optimal inlet conditions. The liquid-separation efficiency was higher than 45% for an annular flow inlet, higher than 80% for a slug flow inlet at low liquid inlet superficial velocities, and approached 100% for a stratified flow inlet. The flow distribution in the header was visually observed using a high-speed camera to determine the effects of the inlet flow patterns on the drain limit as well as on the liquid-separation efficiency.