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At the microfluidic scale, the utilization of helically coiled channels (HCCs), also known as a spiral channel, for two-phase flow offers numerous advantages in various applications. Existing articles mainly focus on the macro-scale transport, examining secondary flows induced in curved channels. The increasing demand, however, for innovative miniature equipment for thermal energy management emphasizes the importance of comprehending gas–liquid micro-scale flow in curved channels. Unfortunately, despite a vast body of literature on this paradigm, there is still a lack of systematic investigations into the underlying facets of two-phase micro-scale transport in HCCs. To address this gap, our study conducted experiments on adiabatic two-phase air–water flow inside an up-flow helical micro-scale tube. The tube had a hydraulic diameter of 0.87 mm, a coil diameter of 50 mm, and a helical pitch of 20 mm. The primary aim was to explore the impact of centrifugal force on flow pattern, void fraction, and frictional pressure drop characteristics. Additionally, we carefully examined the phase separation phenomenon influenced by the secondary flows induced by the curved channel. In particular, we compared the gas-core flow pattern (either throat-annular flow or annular flow), void fraction, and frictional pressure drop obtained from our experiments on the helical tube with corresponding results based on straight micro-scale channel configurations for an Eötvös number of approximately 0.01. In summary, this study delves deep into the crucial aspects of two-phase micro-scale transport in HCCs, contributing to a better understanding of these systems for future advancements in micro-channel applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gravitational force effect is of concern when designing flow boiling systems deployed on Earth and in space. A study of the R-134a flow boiling inside the horizontal and vertical channels was experimentally performed to explore the flow orientations' effect on flow pattern and heat transfer characteristics. The test section was a 0.5 mm diameter tube from which the corner effect was excluded. The single channel was used to avoid disturbances that flow maldistribution could possibly cause in the multiple channels. The experimental two-phase flow corresponded to a 1.75 confinement number, which was above the threshold for micro-scale flow. The results indicated the flow regime map, which was less affected by the channel orientation except for that slug flow pattern that was unable to survive during the vertical downflow and vertical upflow. Also, based on the present micro-scale flow, the heat transfer results were mostly independent of the gravitational force effect, and the nucleate boiling and convective mechanisms tended to govern them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This research focuses on heat transfer to R-134a during flow boiling in a 1.75mm internal diameter tube. Flow visualisation and heat transfer experiments are conducted to obtain heat transfer coefficients for different flow patterns. The measured data in each flow regime are compared with predictions from a three-zone flow boiling model. The calculations are in fair agreement with the experimental results which correspond in particular to slug flow, throat-annular flow and churn flow regimes under conditions of low heat flux. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Adiabatic two-phase air–water flow is experimentally studied in this work. Two channels, made of fused silica, with different diameters of 0.53 and 0.15mm are used as test sections. The void fraction data for both tubes are obtained by image analysis. For the larger channel, the void fraction is found to be a linear relationship with the volumetric quality. In the case of the smaller one, however, the non-linear void fraction is obtained. The measured frictional pressure drop data are compared with the predictions regarding the homogeneous flow assumption. Several well-known two-phase viscosity models are subsequently evaluated for applicability to micro-channels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two-phase air–water flow characteristics are experimentally investigated in horizontal circular micro-channels. Test sections are made of fused silica. The experiments are conducted based on three different inner diameters of 0.53, 0.22 and 0.15mm with the corresponding lengths of 320, 120 and 104mm, respectively. The test runs are done at superficial velocities of gas and liquid ranging between 0.37–42.36 and 0.005–3.04m/s, respectively. The flow visualisation is facilitated by systems mainly including stereozoom microscope and high-speed camera. The flow regime maps developed from the observed flow patterns are presented. The void fractions are determined based on image analysis. New correlation for two-phase frictional multiplier is also proposed for practical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper is a continuation of the authors’ previous work. Two-phase air–water flow experiments are performed in a horizontal circular micro-channel. The test section is made of a fused silica tube with an inner diameter of 0.15mm and a length of 104mm. The flow phenomena, which are liquid/unstable annular alternating flow (LUAAF), liquid/annular alternating flow (LAAF), and annular flow, are observed and recorded by a high-speed camera mounted together with a stereozoom microscope. A flow pattern map is presented in terms of the phase superficial velocities and is compared with those of other researchers obtained from different working fluids. Image analysis is performed to determine the void fraction, which increases non-linearly with increasing volumetric quality. It is revealed that the two-phase frictional multiplier data show a dependence on flow pattern rather than mass flux. Based on the present data, a new pressure drop correlation is proposed for practical applications. According to the present study, in general the data for the two-phase air–water flow characteristics are found to comply with those of working fluids other than air–water mixtures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study analyzes several well-known two-phase viscosity models in order to address the appropriate correlations among them for application to micro-channel. Pressure drop data is obtained from adiabatic two-phase air–water flow experiments. A fused silica channel, 320 mm long, with an inside diameter of 0.53 mm is used as the test section. The measured data is compared with the homogeneous flow predictions calculated using the existing viscosity models and detailed comparisons are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A literature review of recent research on two-phase flow in micro-channels is provided in this article. Researches on the micro-hydrodynamics concerned with two-phase gas–liquid adiabatic flow characteristics in both circular and non-circular micro-channels are discussed. This review aims to survey and identify new findings obtained from this attractive area, which may contribute to optimum design and process control of high performance miniature devices comprising extremely small channels. The results obtained from a number of previous studies show that the flow behaviors in the micro-channels deviate significantly from those in ordinarily sized channels. A clear understanding of the flow behaviors encountered is necessary to answer the fundamental questions related to the two-phase flow phenomena. Similar to the ordinarily sized channels, it is expected that the flow pattern, pressure drop and void fraction will influence the two-phase pressure drop, holdup, system stability, exchange rates of momentum, heat and mass during the phase-change heat transfer processes. It is obvious that publications available on micro-channels are relatively small compared to those for ordinarily sized channels and further systematic studies of two-phase gas–liquid adiabatic flow in micro-channels are required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Adiabatic two-phase air–water flow characteristics, including the two-phase flow pattern as well as the void fraction and two-phase frictional pressure drop, in a circular micro-channel are experimentally studied. A fused silica channel, 320mm long, with an inside diameter of 0.53mm is used as the test section. The test runs are done at superficial velocity of gas and liquid ranging between 0.37–16 and 0.005–3.04m/s, respectively. The flow pattern map is developed from the observed flow patterns i.e. slug flow, throat-annular flow, churn flow and annular-rivulet flow. The flow pattern map is compared with those of other researchers obtained from different working fluids. The present single-phase experiments also show that there are no significant differences in the data from the use of air or nitrogen gas, and water or de-ionized water. The void fraction data obtained by image analysis tends to correspond with the homogeneous flow model. The two-phase pressure drops are also used to calculate the frictional multiplier. The multiplier data show a dependence on flow pattern as well as mass flux. A new correlation of two-phase frictional multiplier is also proposed for practical application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]