Velocity Field in Turbulent Subcooled Boiling Flow

The velocity field was measured in turbulent subcooled boiling flow of Refrigerant-113 through a vertical annular channel whose inner wall was heated. A two-component laser Doppler velocimeter was used. Measurements are reported in the boiling layer adjacent to the inner wall as well as in the outer all-liquid layer for two fluid mass velocities and four wall heat fluxes. The turbulence was found to be inhomogeneous and anisotropic and the turbulent kinetic energy significantly higher than in single-phase liquid flow at the same mass velocity. A marked shift toward the inner wall was observed of the zero location of the axial Reynolds shear stress in the liquid phase, and the magnitude of the shear stress increased sharply close to the inner wall. The near-wall liquid velocity field was quite different from that in single-phase liquid flow at a similar Reynolds number. Comparison of the measurements with the predictions of a three-dimensional two-fluid model of turbulent subcooled boiling flow show reasonably good agreement for some quantities and a need for further development of certain aspects of the model.