Study of countercuffent flow limitation in a horizontal pipe connected to an inclined one

Experiments with air and water in small hot leg reproductions were carried out aiming to acquire a better understanding of the countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) in this geometry. The effects of various geometrical parameters of the test section and of the inlet water flow rate on the onset of flooding, on the partial delivery of water and on the zero liquid penetration were investigated. It was observed that while the onset of flooding is affected by the inlet water flow rate, the zero liquid penetration is independent of this flow rate. The results with partial delivery showed that, for a fixed air velocity, an increase in the horizontal length, or in the inclined length, of the flow channel leads to an increase of the water carried over by the air. On the other hand, in pipes with larger diameters the drag of the water is smaller. The experimental results showed small differences in the results for tests with inclination of the riser lower than 90 degrees. For an inclination equal to 90 degrees, the water carried by the air tends to be lower than in the others angles for a fixed air velocity. The study led also to a new correlation for the flooding. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.