The Effect of a Flat-plate-Type Obstacle on the Thin Liquid Film Accompanied by a High Speed Gas Flow

A flatplate-type obstacle, which simulates a grid-type spacer in a nuclear reactor, is set in an air-water cocurrent stratified flow to investigate liquid film breakdown occurring near the obstacle. We made detailed visual observations and measurments of the velocity profile of the air flow and the axial distributions of liquid film thickness and static pressure near the obstacle. Experimental parameters were the inclination of the rectangular duct, the configuration of the obstacle, i. e., with and without a projection and a hole, which is bored in order to delay the onset of dry patch formation near the obstacle and the gap between the plate and the lower-wall surface. The results show that the plate itself does not promote dry patch formation but the projection, even if it is in contact with the wall surface at only one point, has a strong effect on the liquid film breakdown. In general the film breakdown occurs in front of the projection in a wide range of flow conditions due to the leading edge down-wash of the stream and due also to the rejection of water by gravitational force in the case of the upward flow in the inclined duct. By setting a hole in or in front of the projection the occurrence of the dry patch formation is delayed.