• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.525-536
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• 2005

The interfacial area transport equation dynamically models the changes in interfacial structures along the flow field by mechanistically modeling the creation and destruction of dispersed phase. Hence, when employed in the numerical thermal-hydraulic system analysis codes, it eliminates artificial bifurcations stemming from the use of the static flow regime transition criteria. Accounting for the substantial differences in the transport mechanism for various sizes of bubbles, the transport equation is formulated for two characteristic groups of bubbles. The group 1 equation describes the transport of small-dispersed bubbles, whereas the group 2 equation describes the transport of large cap, slug or chum-turbulent bubbles. To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of interfacial area transport equation available at present, it is benchmarked by an extensive database established in various two-phase flow configurations spanning from bubbly to chum-turbulent flow regimes. The geometrical effect in interfacial area transport is examined by the data acquired in vertical fir-water two-phase flow through round pipes of various sizes and a confined flow duct, and by those acquired In vertical co-current downward air-water two-phase flow through round pipes of two different sizes.