FALLING FILM HYDRODYNAMICS IN SLUG FLOW

Non-intrusive flow visualization using photochromic dye activation is applied to study the near-wall region around individual and coalescing pairs of Taylor bubbles rising in stagnant kerosene in a vertical 25. 6 mm ID tube. Instantaneous velocity profile measurements have been pe rformed in the liquid film flowing past the rising Taylor bubble. A si mple predictive procedure for estimating film velocity is successfully implemented. New and interesting phenomena are observed primarily in the wake region that are of significance to slug flow modeling. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science Ltd.