GAS-LIQUID FLOW AT MICROGRAVITY CONDITIONS .1. DISPERSED BUBBLE AND SLUG FLOW

Void fraction, pressure gradient and flow pattern data are reported for gas-liquid flow at near-zero gravity through a 4 cm dia tube about 3 m long. These data were collected during a series of parabolic trajectories flown in a jet airplane which provided 15-20 s of reduced gravity at levels < 0.03g. Flow conditions were such that bubbly or slug flow existed for all runs. High-speed videotapes of the flow were analyzed to obtain the bubble size distribution at two axial locations along the tube. Models for explaining the data are examined.