STUDY OF LIQUID FILM BEHAVIOUR IN VERTICAL DOWNWARD AIR–WATER ANNULAR FLOW

The document collects the details of the GEPELON experimental installation (Ondulatory Film Generation), whose main goal is to measure and model downward air–water annular flow experiments. The facility has a length of 3.8 m and two test sections of 42 mm and 30 mm in diameter. Water is introduced through an injector with flow rates between 1–20 l/min and 1–10 l/min respectively. The air circuit provides flows between 0–2,500 l/min, so it is possible to measure either vertical free fall or forced annular flow. Measurements of the liquid film thickness have been carried out using several conductance probes in different positions (both before and after the fluid development zone). The most important variables related to the liquid film thickness behaviour have been studied showing a strong dependence on the difference between air and liquid velocity.