Author: Brian Farrar

Publisher:

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 612

ISBN-13:

While two-phase flow studies have been in progress for some time involving either a liquid-gas or liquid-solid flow, our knowledge of the simultaneous flow of two immiscible liquids is still very limited. This thesis describes an experimental study of the flow behaviour of an oil-water mixture using hot-film anemometry, the results of which are of direct interest to the oil producing and other industries. Following a review of the literature on thermal anemometry, two-phase flow and the measurement of turbulence, the development of a suitable large scale, recirculating, two-phase water-kerosene flow test facility is described. This facility incorporates a special water-kerosene separator unit to allow it to operate on a continuous basis, and a 78 mm diameter acrylic test section for flow visualisation and insertion of a hot-film probe. Analysis of the hot-film output signal is performed digitally and an analogue to digital converter interfaced to a microcomputer is used to digitise and record the signal. A combined experimental and theoretical study and a careful analysis of the interfacial tension effects as a bubble interacts with a hot-film sensor has shown how the observed signal can be related to the arrival and departure of the bubble. Using this knowledge a digital, microcomputer based signal analysis procedure was developed to allow measurement of local volume fraction and statistical quantities (mean, rms, etc.) of the continuous phase turbulent flow. Results of measurements in the test facility using the developed procedure are presented.