Hydrodynamic characterization of transient multiphase flows in monolithic structures using ultrafast X-ray tomography

T. Schäfera , M. Wagnera,b, U. Hampela,b, M. Weißc, C. Meitznerc, R. Langec

aInstitute of Fluid Dynamics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany

bAREVA Endowed Chair of Imaging Techniques in Energy and Process Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden,

Germany

c Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany

Abstract

Detailed hydrodynamic characterization of transient multiphase flows is significant in the field of process engineering. The ultrafast X-ray tomography system ROFEX was used to analyze the complex transient multiphase flow and its hydrodynamic characteristics in monolithic structures. Introducing the applied tomography system and the particular experimental set-up, selected experiments and investigations will be explained. Furthermore several methods for the computation and visualization of gas and liquid phase distribution, the calculation of liquid holdup and the characterization of the occurring flow structures will be presented. As a conclusion a selection of achieved results and the derivable information will be summarized.

Keywords: ultrafast X-ray tomography; multi-phase flow; flow structure; flow properties; monolith