Spatial distribution of void fraction in the liquid slug in the whole range of pipe inclinations

A wire mesh sensor was used to detect the local instantaneous cross-sectional distribution of the phases in gas-liquid slug flow. Data were obtained for a wide range of flow rates and for pipe inclinations ranging from shallow to vertical. Processing of the wire mesh sensor data yielded detailed information of the 3D void fraction distribution in the liquid slug. These results shed additional light on the hydrodynamics of slug flow, in particular, regarding the formation and distribution of dispersed bubbles in the liquid slug. Comparison with available data was carried out. The present results compared favorably with model predictions.

► Local instantaneous void fraction distributions were obtained by a wire mesh sensor. ► 3D voidage distributions in the liquid slug are presented. ► Results are obtained for various flow rates and a wide range of pipe inclinations. ► Averaging over a large ensemble relative to the elongated bubble is carried out. ► Comparison with available data and model predictions is performed.