On the prediction of horizontal bubbly flows using the interfacial area transport equation

To solve the two-fluid model utilized in current nuclear reactor system analysis codes, the interfacial area concentration (a _i) is estimated through flow regime dependent correlations that rely on static regime transition criteria. This approach does not capture the continuous evolution of the interfacial structures, and thus, it can pose numerical issues near the transition boundaries. The interfacial area transport equation (IATE) can help address these shortcomings by providing a dynamic prediction of a _¡ through mechanistic source and sink terms that account for bubble coalescence and breakup. Most of the previous work for this approach has focused on vertical two-phase flow. However, relatively few studies have been performed for horizontal two-phase flows, where buoyancy strongly affects the phase distribution. To develop a one-dimensional, area-averaged form of the IATE for adiabatic, horizontal bubbly flows the following considerations are necessary: (1) pressure drop estimation, (2) bubble velocity/void fraction estimation, (3) determination of bubble interaction mechanisms, and (4) treatment of the asymmetric phase distribution. In the current work, treatment of the asymmetric phase distribution is presented.