Transient gas-liquid flow in horizontal T-junctions

A model is developed to calculate the transient behavior of co-current gas- liquid flow with small liquid holdup values (epsilon (L) less than or equal to 0.1) through a horizontal regular T-junction. The present model combine s transient two-phase pipe flow and gas-liquid Row splitting in a T-junctio n. The transient model has been derived from the mass and momentum balances for the gas and liquid phase. The splitting model has been derived from th e steady-state macroscopic mechanical energy balance (extended Bernoulli eq uation) applied to the "inlet-to-run" streamline acid "inlet-to-branch'' st reamline of both the gas and the liquid phase. The calculated results with the introduced transient model are compared with experimental data of the t ransient how of the system air;water through a horizontal regular (D-1 = D- 2 = D-3 = 0.051 m) T-junction. The calculated steady-state values as well a s the time-dependent dynamic changes of gas-liquid flow through a horizonta l regular T-junction are in good agreement with the on-line registered expe rimental data. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.