Two-phase flow distribution and phase separation through both horizontal and vertical branches

The present study investigated two-phase flow distribution and phase separation of R-22 refrigerant through various types of branch tubes. The key experimental parameters were the orientation of inlet and branch tubes (horizontal and vertical), diameter ratio of branch tube to inlet tube (I and 0.61), mass flux (200-500 kg/m(2)s), and inlet quality (0.1-0.4). The predicted local pressure profile in the tube with junction was compared and generally agreed with the measured data. The local pressure profile within the pressure recovery region after the junction has to be carefully investigated for modeling the pressure drop through the branch. The equal flow distribution case can be found by adjusting the orientation of the inlet and branch tubes and the diameter ratio of the branch tube to the inlet tube. The T-junction with horizontal inlet and branch tubes showed the nearly equal phase distribution ratio. The quality at the branch tube varied from 0 to I as the orientation of the branch tube changed, while it varied within 50% as the orientation of the inlet tube changed.