Experimental investigation of in-line tube bundle heat transfer process to vertical downward foam flow

Usage of two phase flow as a coolant allows to reach more intensive heat transfer process. This paper presents the results of the investigation of the heat transfer between the in-line tube bundle and statically stable aqueous foam flow. The flow of the foam was generated at the top of the experimental channel and crossed down the tubes of the bundle (the diameter of the tubes was 0.02 m; horizontal and vertical distances between the centers of the tubes – 0.03 m). This investigation allowed determining the dependence of the heat transfer intensity of the tubes to foam flow on the volumetric flow rate and volumetric void fraction of the foam. The influence of tube position in the bundle on the intensity of heat transfer was found in this experimental study: the intensity of the heat transfer between the middle tube and the downward foam flow was determined to be higher comparing to the intensity between the tubes in both sideways of the bundle and the downward foam flow. The results of investigation showed that an average heat transfer intensity of the tubes of in-line bundle to downward without any turning foam flow was higher than that in the case of the downward after 180° turning foam flow. The results of this experimental study were generalized using the empirical equation between heat transfer coefficient from one side and the volumetric flow rate and volumetric void fraction of the foam from the other side.