Volumetric interfacial area prediction in upward bubbly two-phase flow

In two-phase flow studies, a volumetric interfacial area balance equation is often used in addition to the multidimensional two-fluid model to describe the geometrical structure of the two-phase flow. In the particular case of bubbly flows, numerous works have been done by different authors on the subject. Our work concerns two main modifications of this balance equation: (1) new time scales are proposed for turbulence induced coalescence and breakup, (2) modeling of the nucleation of new bubbles on the volumetric interfacial area. The 3D module of the CATHARE code is used to evaluate our new model, in comparison to three other models for interfacial area found in the literature, on two different experiments. First, we use the DEBORA experimental data base for the comparison in the case of boiling bubbly flow. The comparison of the different volumetric interfacial area models to the DEBORA experimental data shows that even though the theoretical values of the coefficients are adopted in our modified model, this model has a quite good capability to predict the local two-phase geometrical parameters in the boiling flow conditions. Secondly, we compare the predictions obtained with the same models to the DEDALE experimental data base, for the case of adiabatic bubbly flow. In comparison to the other models tested, our model also gives quite good predictions of the bubble diameter in the case of adiabatic conditions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.