Laser-based diagnostics of slug flow boiling in a horizontal pipe

We present results from an experimental investigation on flow boiling, in the slug flow regime, of refrigerant R245fa through a 12.6-mm inner diameter horizontal plain pipe using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and an interface detection method. The study is supplemented by an overview of the state-of-the-art in experimental research of two-phase dispersed pipe flows and the development of modern optical and laser-based full-field non-intrusive measurement techniques as applied to these flows. We consider different flow conditions, with heat fluxes over the range 5.3 to 7.9 kW/m2 and mass fluxes from 300 to 460 kg/m2•s. Significant disturbances in the instantaneous velocity fields are revealed in both the noses and tails of slugs, with their values being two times higher behind vapour bubbles. The slug passage frequency is determined based on the results of the interface detection method. The vapour bubble velocity is found to increase linearly with the interfacial velocity of the two-phase mixture, while its gradient grows with the heat flux. Moreover, at increased heat fluxes the bubbles may move even faster than the mixture itself, which implies that they must significantly enhance local turbulence, thereby additionally intensifying heat transfer. In addition to the conclusions, we provide practical recommendations for possible future research in this particular field of fluid mechanics and the further development of sophisticated laser-based measurement techniques for boiling, and similar, flows