DETERMINATION OF THE INTERFACE CURVATURE IN STRATIFIED 2-PHASE SYSTEMS BY ENERGY CONSIDERATIONS

A configuration of a plane interface between two stratified layers is appropriate for two-phase systems which are dominated by gravity, as i s the case for large scale air-water systems under earth gravitation. However, for a general two-fluid system, the basic in situ configurati on is stratified layers with a curved interface. The prescription of t he characteristic interface curvature is required in order to initiate the solution of the dow problem and the associated transport phenomen a. Energy considerations are employed to predict the interface configu ration. The effect of the fluid physical properties, in situ hold up, tube dimension, wall adhesion and gravitation on the characteristic in terface curvature are explored. The prediction of interface curvature provides the closure relation required for a complete solution of stra tified flows with curved interfaces for a variety of two-fluid systems . Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.