Gas–liquid flows in a microscale fractal-like branching flow network

Two-phase air–water flows in a microscale fractal-like flow network were experimentally studied and results were compared to predictions from existing macroscale void fraction correlations and flow regime maps. Void fraction was assessed using (1) two-dimensional analysis of high-speed images (direct method) and (2) experimentally determined using gas velocities (indirect method). Fixed downstream-to-upstream length and width ratios of 1.4 and 0.71, respectively, characterize the five-level flow network. Channels were fabricated in a 38 mm diameter silicon disk, 250 μm deep disk with a terminal channel width of 100 μm. A Pyrex top allowed for flow visualization. Superficial air and water velocities through the various branch levels were varied from 0.007 m/s to 1.8 m/s and from 0.05 m/s to 0.42 m/s, respectively. Two-phase flow regime maps were generated for each level of the flow network and are well predicted by the Taitel and Dukler model. Void fraction assessed using the indirect method shows very good agreement with the homogeneous void fraction model for all branch levels for the given range of flow conditions. Void fraction determined directly varies considerably from that assessed indirectly, showing better agreement with the void fraction correlation of Zivi.