Distribution of Two-Phase Flow across 2.7-mm Vertically Split U-Type Junctions

A visual observation of the two‐phase flow across vertically split U‐type junctions and its flow redistribution inside two 2.7‐mm diameter smooth tubes with curvature ratios (2R/D) of 3 and 7, respectively, are reported. The range of mass flux is between 100 and 700 kg/m2s and quality (x) ranges from 0.001 to 0.5. The ratio of liquid distribution between the upper and lower outlet legs is related to the inlet flow pattern, but its influence is reduced at higher mass flux. The difference in liquid flow rates in the lower and upper legs is significantly affected by gravity at a small inlet mass flux, but this difference becomes less profound when the inlet mass flux is increased. The difference between the liquid flux in the upper and lower leg is reduced for the smaller curvature radius due to the reduced effect of gravity between the upper and lower legs. However, there is no consistent trend of gas flow distribution across the U‐type junction as compared to liquid flow distribution. The air mass flux in the upper and lower legs always increase with an increase in both gas quality and the total mass flux. To investigate the flow re‐distribution for air and water inside the two U‐type junctions, with curvature ratios of 3 and 7, respectively, the influences of the gravitational force and the effect of buoyancy are discussed in detail.