Flow characteristics of single-phase flow in narrow annular channels

Abstract

The characteristics of single-phase flow in narrow annular channels were analyzed and theoretical model was proposed. Based on the present model, the theoretical calculation was performed to predict the flow characteristics for the developed flow in narrow annuli with the gap sizes of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm, respectively. The results were in good agreement with the experimental data. In addition, the gap size of narrow annuli has great impact upon the flow characteristics. The decrease of gap size reduces friction factor. The higher the Reynolds number, the more remarkable the effect of gap size upon friction coefficient during single-phase flowing through narrow annular channels. The effect of gap size upon friction coefficient is dependent on the Reynolds number, and will decrease with the decrease of the Reynolds number.

Keywords

narrow annuli / single-phase flow / friction pressure drop