Gas—liquid annular flow under microgravity conditions: a temporal linear stability study

A temporal linear stability study was performed for a gas—liquid annular flow configuration under microgravity conditions. Data used to validate the modeling includes that generated by Texas A&M as well as all the other known data in two-phase flow under reduced gravity conditions. Following a discussion of theoretical considerations on the growth rates of different instabilities, it is shown that given the fluid properties, pipe diameter and phasic flow rates, one can predict with a high level of confidence the flow regime in the pipe. Acceptable confidence levels (80%) are achieved when one differentiates between slug, slug—annular, and annular flow. Higher confidence levels (90%) are found when one differentiates between slug and annular flow by merging the annular and slug—annular categories.