Two-phase flow measurements with sharp-edged orifices

This paper contains the results of a set of two-phase flow measurements of 4 different ratios of vapor to liquid density (up to 0.328) across a sharp-edged circular orifice. Test fluid was R-113. Tests were carried out upon 3 orifices whose diameter ratios were 0.312, 0.439 and 0.625. The test quality ranged from 0–100%, while the mass velocity from 917–1477 kg/m².s. On the basis of a modified separated flow model, a relationship is developed for the flow rate and quality and is compared with experimental data and 5 proposed correlations. Comparison shows this method can be used to calculate the flow rate or the quality of vapor liquid (or steam water) mixture in the range 0.00455 to 0.328 of the density ratio, and in pipe size ranging from 8 to 75 mm (β = 0.25–0.75).

The RMS error of this method is about 12% when the quality, x, ranges from 2% to 100%.