Propagation of a pressure wave in two-phase flow with very high void fraction

An experimental and theoretical study of a finite amplitude pressure wave propagating through a two-phase media of about 0.9999–0.99999 void fraction is performed. This two-phase media consists of many parallel liquid films in a gas. The films are perpendicular to the wave propagation direction and result in a two-phase fluid of extremely high void fraction. Experiments are done in a vertical shock tube and show that the shock wave is broken down into an initial sharply rising wave and a second gradually rising wave. The velocity of the first wave agrees well with the theoretical prediction assuming an adiabatic thermal equilibrium change, which approaches the gas sonic velocity in the two-phase flow in the low void fraction region. The second wave is caused by the complex reflection and destruction of the waves.