Characteristics of two-phase condensing flow by visualization using computed image processing

Abstract The mechanics of the condensing behavior of vapor bubbles in a subcooled bulk flow is complicated and influenced by both heat and mass transfer. To examine the characteristics of such thermal-nonequilibrium two-phase flow, experimental and analytical researches have been made. In the experiment, the movement of each vapor bubble in a flowing channel was recorded on video tapes and analyzed by an image processing system. As result, the distributions of void fraction along the test section were obtained. In the analysis, a simple analytical model was introduced to predict the distributions of void fraction and liquid subcooling temperature. By considering the rate of vapor condensation along the flow direction, the differential equation of energy balance between two phases was obtained. Integration of this equation yielded the void fraction and bulk liquid subcooling at any position. The condensation rate was estimated as a function of the local liquid subcooling, interfacial area and mass velocity. Finally, a close fit between calculated results and experimental data was obtained.