A CHOKING MODEL WITH THERMAL NON-EQUILIBRIUM FOR INITIALLY SUBCOOLED WATER

Mechanical non-homogeneous and thermal non equilibrium phenomenon exists in two-phase critical flow compared with single phase flow. A one-dimensional two-fluid critical flow model is developed for initially subcooled water flowing in pipe or orifices. The model accounts for thermal nonequilibrium between the liquid and vapor bubbles and for interphase relative motion. In this model, an improved correlation to calculate flashing inception location and surperheat is proposed. The model consists of six conservation equations as well as a seventh equation representing bubble growth in bubbly flow. Closure of the set of governing equations is performed with constitutive relationships which determine the interfacial momentum terms due to mass exchange, wall to liquid and wall to vapour frictional forces, liquid to gas interfacial force and interfacial heat transfer rate. The model considers the development of three flow regimes, namely, bubbly, churn and annular flow regimes. Model predictions compare favorably with experimental data over a wide range of pressures and pipe diameters and lengths.