Experimental investigation and CFD simulation of an air/water flow in a horizontal channel (Part 1: Measurements)

For the investigation of air/water stratified flow, a horizontal channel with rectangular cross-section was build at Forschungszentrum Rossendorf. The channel allows the investigation of air/water co- and counter-current flows under atmospheric pressure, especially the slug behaviour.
Optical measurements were performed with a high-speed video camera, and were complemented by simultaneous dynamic pressure measurements. An interface capture technique was developed, which allows to plot the time dependent water level in each cross-section. Further, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements where presented, which shows the flow pattern inside of a slug.