Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 18348

Special Issue Editors

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: electronic cooling; heat transfer enhancement theory and technology; thermal and water management in PEM fuel cells; micro-/nanoscale phase change; heat pipe and loop heat pipe
College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: mathematical modeling for PEMFCs; packed beds; catalytic distillation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heat transfer and phase change phenomena in two-phase flows are often encountered in many engineering systems, such as heat exchangers, heat pipes, electronics cooling devices, nanotechnology, and fuel cells and are therefore extremely important for their design, simulation, and optimization. Two-phase flow refers to the interactive flow of two distinct phases—each phase representing a mass or volume of matter—with common interfaces in a channel. Two-phase flow can occur in a single-component or multicomponent system. Possible phase combinations include: (1) solid–liquid, where solid particles are mostly dispersed in the liquid; (2) solid–gas, where the solid particles are carried by a stream of gas; (3) liquid–vapor (gas), where the volume fraction of one phase relative to the other results in different flow regimes; and (4) a combination of the above. Understanding the fundamentals and mechanisms of two-phase flow and heat transfer is continuously needed in order to develop the relevant technology for engineering applications. With the rapid development of various relevant interdisciplinary subjects and technologies, research on two-phase flow and heat transfer is growing much faster today than ever before.

This Special Issue on “Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation, and Optimization” is devoted to presenting recent frontier and progress research in two-phase flow and heat transfer covering microscale, nanoscale, and macroscale research topics from all over the world. Researchers and experts are encouraged to submit research papers summarizing their continuing efforts to tackle various types of heat transfer phenomena in two-phase flows. Contributions dealing with phenomenological understanding, modeling, numerical simulations, as well as new experiments and experimental methods are very welcome. Potential topics include but are not limited to the keywords below.

Prof. Dr. Zhichun Liu
Prof. Dr. Chen Yang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Microscale and nanoscale two-phase flow and heat transfer phenomena
  • Boiling and condensation heat transfer
  • Two-phase flow and heat transfer in micro- and minichannels
  • Microgravity two-phase flow and heat transfer
  • Fundamentals and mechanisms of nanofluid two-phase flow and heat transfer
  • Heat pipe modeling and integration for space and ground application
  • Modeling and measurements of fluid flow and heat transfer for particle-laden flow
  • Thermal and water management in PEM fuel cells
  • Two-phase flow and heat transfer in a phase change thermal energy storage system

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 7256 KiB  
Article
Spray Cooling Schemes and Temperature Field Analysis of Ultra-High-Temperature Production Wells in Underground Coal Gasification
by Yang Tang, Haoyu Xiong, Yin He, Shunxiao Huang and Yuan Wang
Processes 2022, 10(6), 1149; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr10061149 - 08 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1441
Abstract
In underground coal gasification (UCG), it is essential for UCG production to accurately control the temperature of the gas produced at the wellhead of the production well and correctly calculate the variation law of the temperature field in the whole wellbore. UCG wellbore [...] Read more.
In underground coal gasification (UCG), it is essential for UCG production to accurately control the temperature of the gas produced at the wellhead of the production well and correctly calculate the variation law of the temperature field in the whole wellbore. UCG wellbore structures use three wellbore sprayed water cooling schemes. These schemes consider the heat exchange mechanism between the wellbore and the formation, the division of the production wellbore into the spray chamber section and the non-spray section, and the established temperature field model of the whole wellbore. The research shows that, due to the large temperature gradient formed in the wellbore heat transfer route under the spray tubing water injection cooling scheme, the temperature of the produced gas drops the most. The annular water injection cooling scheme can protect the cement sheath to a certain extent and is easier to implement; therefore, it is more suitable to use this scheme to cool the production well. It is feasible to control the temperature of the production wellhead by controlling the temperature of the spray chamber. The greater the daily output of produced gas or the thermal conductivity of the tubing, the smaller the temperature change between the bottom hole and the wellhead, and the more the spray water temperature rises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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17 pages, 19873 KiB  
Article
Flow Physics of Profile Control Fluids in Porous Media and Implications for Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Microfluidic Study
by Yicheng Wang, Hanqiao Jiang, Liang Li, Lida Wang and Junjian Li
Processes 2022, 10(1), 112; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr10010112 - 06 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1387
Abstract
Novel profile control agents are constantly emerging in the field of enhanced oil recovery, contributing to the extension of a stable production period. However, evaluation performed through conventional core flow experiments is usually inadequate to reveal the in-depth mechanism of profile control agents. [...] Read more.
Novel profile control agents are constantly emerging in the field of enhanced oil recovery, contributing to the extension of a stable production period. However, evaluation performed through conventional core flow experiments is usually inadequate to reveal the in-depth mechanism of profile control agents. Besides, due to different operation and production modes, there is an urgent need for a specific experimental method applicable to horizontal wells in bottom water reservoirs. In this context, this paper describes two models tailored to bottom water reservoirs and investigates the flow characteristics and mechanisms of three water-shutoff agent types. At the pore scale, further study was carried out on the water-shutoff synergism between a gel and an emulsifier. The results show that the gel is present at the edge of the pore body, while the emulsion is blocked in the center of the pore body. Hence, gel that enters a water channel (main flow and accumulation area of emulsion) can cooperate with an emulsion to achieve high-strength water shutoff, making the bottom water that re-invades mainly break through at oil-rich areas. Compared with water shutoff with gel alone (randomly distributed in the breakthrough area), the synergism improves the gel’s ability to select flow channels, inhibits emulsifier channeling, and achieves a remarkable EOR effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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13 pages, 7198 KiB  
Article
Performance Enhancement of PEM Fuel Cells with an Additional Outlet in the Parallel Flow Field
by Yan Zhang, Chenpeng Liu, Zhongmin Wan, Chen Yang, Shi Li, Zhengkai Tu, Min Wu, Yongqing Chen and Wanchun Zhou
Processes 2021, 9(11), 2061; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9112061 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2054
Abstract
The design of bipolar plates is critical for improving the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this research, a new additional outlet based on a PEMFC’s parallel flow field was proposed, and three different positions of outlet were designed on [...] Read more.
The design of bipolar plates is critical for improving the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this research, a new additional outlet based on a PEMFC’s parallel flow field was proposed, and three different positions of outlet were designed on the target side of gas flowing in parallel channels. The results revealed that the additional outlets are able to increase the gas speed through channels near the additional outlets, which results in a lower water saturation and a more uniform distribution of oxygen concentration at the interface between the catalyst layer (CL) and gas diffusion layer (GDL). With the variation of the outlet position in the target side, it was found that the additional outlet set in the middle of the target side exhibits the highest increase of peak power density, namely, 13%. Furthermore, the optimal position of the additional outlet was proved to be suitable for PEMFCs with various active surface areas, indicating the universality of the present results in the study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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19 pages, 7084 KiB  
Article
Brownian Motion and Thermophoretic Effects in Mini Channels with Various Heights
by Zainab Al Hajaj and Mohamad Ziad Saghir
Processes 2021, 9(11), 1965; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9111965 - 03 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1348
Abstract
Flow-through mini channels have received tremendous interest from researchers over a long period. However, the study of flow between the channel and on top of the channel has received little to no attention. In the present paper, different parameters have been used to [...] Read more.
Flow-through mini channels have received tremendous interest from researchers over a long period. However, the study of flow between the channel and on top of the channel has received little to no attention. In the present paper, different parameters have been used to investigate this heat enhancement. The height of 10 mini channels has been varied, allowing the corresponding aspect ratio to vary from 3 to 6, 9, and 12. When the aspect ratio is 12, flow circulates through the mini channel only, and when the aspect ratio is less than 12, flow is distributed between the one circulating inside the channel and moving on top of the channel. Different flow rates are studied corresponding to a Reynolds number varying from 250 to 1250 if water is the working fluid. Brownian and thermophoresis effects are taken into consideration to investigate the nanoparticle sedimentation. Results revealed that the optimum configuration, if one needs to take into consideration the friction factor, is 12. If one ignores the pressure drops, then the optimum configuration is when the aspect ratio is equal to 6. This means that the flow interaction between the one circulating in the channel and above the channel plays a major effect in heat removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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19 pages, 3321 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer with Various Aqueous Mono/Hybrid Nanofluids in a Multi-Channel Heat Exchanger
by Robert Plant, Gregory Hodgson, Stefania Impellizzeri and M. Ziad Saghir
Processes 2021, 9(11), 1932; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9111932 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1733
Abstract
The use of nanofluids for heat transfer has been examined in recent years as a potential method for augmentation of heat transfer in different systems. Often, the use of nanoparticles in a working fluid does not disrupt the system in significant ways. As [...] Read more.
The use of nanofluids for heat transfer has been examined in recent years as a potential method for augmentation of heat transfer in different systems. Often, the use of nanoparticles in a working fluid does not disrupt the system in significant ways. As a result of this general improvement of a system’s heat transfer capabilities with relatively few detrimental factors, nanofluids and hybrid nanofluids have become an area of considerable research interest. One subcategory of this research area that has been under consideration is the concentration of each of the nanoparticles, leading to either successful augmentation or hindrance. The focus of the current experimental investigation was to examine the resulting impact on heat transfer performance as a result of each nanofluid implemented in an identical three-channel heat exchanger. This work examined the experimental impacts of 0.5 wt% titania (TiO2), 1 wt% titania, a mixture of 0.5 wt% titania and 0.5% silica, and a 0.5 wt% hybrid nanofluid of titania synthetically modified with copper-based nanostructures (Cu + TiO2). The experimental work examined a range of heat flux densities from 3.85 W cm−2 to 7.51 W cm−2, and varying flow rates. Each of the nanoparticles were suspended in distilled water and then mixed using an ultrasonic water bath. The performances of each nanofluid were determined using the local Nusselt number to evaluate the possible thermal enhancement offered by each nanofluid mixture. While the 0.5 wt% Cu + TiO2 hybrid nanofluid did significantly increase performance, the use of a 0.5 wt% TiO2/SiO2 double nanofluid in a three-channel heat exchanger exhibited the greatest performance enhancement, with an average increase of 37.3% as compared to water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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16 pages, 5266 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study of a Loop Heat Pipe with Direct Pouring Porous Wick for Cooling Electronics
by Bing Cai, Weizhong Deng, Tong Wu, Tingting Wang, Zhengyuan Ma, Wei Liu, Lei Ma and Zhichun Liu
Processes 2021, 9(8), 1332; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9081332 - 30 Jul 2021
Viewed by 1615
Abstract
A pouring silicate wick was manufactured to explore the influence of process and physical properties on the production and performance of loop heat pipes (LHP). This paper theoretically analyzed the advantages of pouring porous wick and introduced the technology of pouring silicate directly [...] Read more.
A pouring silicate wick was manufactured to explore the influence of process and physical properties on the production and performance of loop heat pipes (LHP). This paper theoretically analyzed the advantages of pouring porous wick and introduced the technology of pouring silicate directly on evaporator. Based on this, the heat transfer performance of copper-methanol LHP system with pouring porous wick was tested under different positions. The results showed that with the input of multiple heat sources, the LHP could start up and maintain a stable temperature from 40 W to 160 W. When the vapor grooves were located above the compensation chamber, it was difficult to start up positively. By adding gravity assistance, the system could obtain more stable liquid supply and vapor flow, so as to realize start up. In the variable heat load test, the LHP showed good adaptability to the change of heat load. The thermal resistance of the system decreased with the increase of heat load. The thermal resistance of the evaporator almost unchanged and was always lower than 0.05 °C/W, which indicated that the pouring porous wick in the evaporator had good heat load matching. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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27 pages, 88783 KiB  
Article
Pool Boiling Performance of Water and Self-Rewetting Fluids on Hybrid Functionalized Aluminum Surfaces
by Matic Može, Viktor Vajc, Matevž Zupančič, Radek Šulc and Iztok Golobič
Processes 2021, 9(6), 1058; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9061058 - 17 Jun 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3307
Abstract
The boiling performance of functionalized hybrid aluminum surfaces was experimentally investigated for water and self-rewetting mixtures of water and 1-butanol. Firstly, microstructured surfaces were produced via chemical etching in hydrochloric acid and the effect of the etching time on the surface morphology was [...] Read more.
The boiling performance of functionalized hybrid aluminum surfaces was experimentally investigated for water and self-rewetting mixtures of water and 1-butanol. Firstly, microstructured surfaces were produced via chemical etching in hydrochloric acid and the effect of the etching time on the surface morphology was evaluated. An etching time of 5 min was found to result in pitting corrosion and produced weakly hydrophilic microstructured surfaces with many microcavities. Observed cavity-mouth diameters between 3.6 and 32 μm are optimal for efficient nucleation and provided a superior boiling performance. Longer etching times of 10 and 15 min resulted in uniform corrosion and produced superhydrophilic surfaces with a micropeak structure, which lacked microcavities for efficient nucleation. In the second stage, hybrid surfaces combining lower surface energy and a modified surface microstructure were created by hydrophobization of etched aluminum surfaces using a silane agent. Hydrophobized surfaces were found to improve boiling heat transfer and their boiling curves exhibited a significantly lower superheat. Significant heat transfer enhancement was observed for hybrid microcavity surfaces with a low surface energy. These surfaces provided an early transition into nucleate boiling and promoted bubble nucleation. For a hydrophobized microcavity surface, heat transfer coefficients of up to 305 kW m−2 K−1 were recorded and an enhancement of 488% relative to the untreated reference surface was observed. The boiling of self-rewetting fluids on functionalized surfaces was also investigated, but a synergistic effect of developed surfaces and a self-rewetting working fluid was not observed. An improved critical heat flux was only obtained for the untreated surface, while a lower critical heat flux and lower heat transfer coefficients were measured on functionalized surfaces, whose properties were already tailored to promote nucleate boiling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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19 pages, 2332 KiB  
Article
Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Coefficients in Mixtures of Water and Glycerin
by Viktor Vajc, Radek Šulc and Martin Dostál
Processes 2021, 9(5), 830; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9050830 - 09 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3706
Abstract
Heat transfer coefficients were investigated for saturated nucleate pool boiling of binary mixtures of water and glycerin at atmospheric pressure in a wide range of concentrations and heat fluxes. Mixtures with water mass fractions from 100% to 40% were boiled on [...] Read more.
Heat transfer coefficients were investigated for saturated nucleate pool boiling of binary mixtures of water and glycerin at atmospheric pressure in a wide range of concentrations and heat fluxes. Mixtures with water mass fractions from 100% to 40% were boiled on a horizontal flat copper surface at heat fluxes from about 25 up to 270kWm2. Experiments were carried out by static and dynamic method of measurement. Results of the static method show that the impact of mixture effects on heat transfer coefficient cannot be neglected and ideal heat transfer coefficient has to be corrected for all investigated concentrations and heat fluxes. Experimental data are correlated with the empirical correlation α=0.59q0.714+0.130ωw with mean relative error of 6%. Taking mixture effects into account, data are also successfully correlated with the combination of Stephan and Abdelsalam (1980) and Schlünder (1982) correlations with mean relative error of about 15%. Recommended coefficients of Schlünder correlation C0=1 and βL=2×104ms1 were found to be acceptable for all investigated mixtures. The dynamic method was developed for fast measurement of heat transfer coefficients at continuous change of composition of boiling mixture. The dynamic method was tested for water–glycerin mixtures with water mass fractions from 70% down to 35%. Results of the dynamic method were found to be comparable with the static method. For water–glycerin mixtures with higher water mass fractions, precise temperature measurements are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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10 pages, 1576 KiB  
Article
Simulation Study of Utilizing X-ray Tube in Monitoring Systems of Liquid Petroleum Products
by Gholam Hossein Roshani, Peshawa Jammal Muhammad Ali, Shivan Mohammed, Robert Hanus, Lokman Abdulkareem, Adnan Alhathal Alanezi, Mohammad Amir Sattari, Saba Amiri, Ehsan Nazemi, Ehsan Eftekhari-Zadeh and El Mostafa Kalmoun
Processes 2021, 9(5), 828; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9050828 - 09 May 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 2659
Abstract
Radiation-based instruments have been widely used in petrochemical and oil industries to monitor liquid products transported through the same pipeline. Different radioactive gamma-ray emitter sources are typically used as radiation generators in the instruments mentioned above. The idea at the basis of this [...] Read more.
Radiation-based instruments have been widely used in petrochemical and oil industries to monitor liquid products transported through the same pipeline. Different radioactive gamma-ray emitter sources are typically used as radiation generators in the instruments mentioned above. The idea at the basis of this research is to investigate the use of an X-ray tube rather than a radioisotope source as an X-ray generator: This choice brings some advantages that will be discussed. The study is performed through a Monte Carlo simulation and artificial intelligence. Here, the system is composed of an X-ray tube, a pipe including fluid, and a NaI detector. Two-by-two mixtures of four various oil products with different volume ratios were considered to model the pipe’s interface region. For each combination, the X-ray spectrum was recorded in the detector in all the simulations. The recorded spectra were used for training and testing the multilayer perceptron (MLP) models. After training, MLP neural networks could estimate each oil product’s volume ratio with a mean absolute error of 2.72 which is slightly even better than what was obtained in former studies using radioisotope sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer: Design, Simulation and Optimization)
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