P. Kishore Kumar ¹, G. K. Pujari ¹, N. M. Rao ², B. Tulja Lal ³, P. Sai Varun ³

Affiliations
1 VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Vigana Jyothi Nagar, Opp. JNTU, S.O), Pragathi Nagar Road, Nizampet, Hyderabad - 500090, Telangana, IN
2 Thakur College of Engineering and Technology, A-Block, Educational Campus, Shyamnarayan Thakur, Thakur Shyamnarayan Marg, Thakur Village, Kandivali East, Mumbai - 400101, Maharashtra, IN
3 Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Gandipet, Hyderabad - 500075, Telangana, IN

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The key objective of the present investigation is to study the void fraction distribution of two phase flow in a riser of an External Air-Lift Loop with middle riser and two downcomers on either side. Methods/ Statistical Analysis: Experimentation is performed to measure void fraction by using conductivity probe technique with the appropriate electrical processing circuit. The operating fluids considered were air and water. Air flow rate is varied from 0.00017 m3/s to 0.00116 m3/s with step interval of 0.0001 m3/s. The conductivity probe data obtained consists of qualitative change of voidage and radial distribution of void fraction. Findings: From the present investigation it is evident that the increase of air flow rate brings the more increase of void fraction. At all air flow rates void fraction got increased from centre of tube to the wall. Cubic profile is obtained at the high airflow rates, which is dependent again upon air flow rate. Different flow patterns were obtained from radial distribution of void fraction graph. Application/Improvements: By introducing the two downcomers to External Air-Lift loop, loop flow rate got increased and as a result the amount of water coming into the riser increased which resulted in lower averaged void fraction.

Keywords

Conductivity Probe Technique, External Air-Lift Loop with Middle Riser, Qualitative Change of Void Fraction, Radial Distribution of Void Fraction.

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