Grid-generated turbulence in two-phase flow: The effect of parameters of the carrier medium and particles

Results are given of an experimental investigation of the initial region of decay of grid-generated turbulence in a downward two-phase flow of the "gas-solid particles" type. Optical diagnostic methods are used to obtain the distributions of the dynamic parameters of two-phase flow, namely, averaged and fluctuation velocities of gas, and the curves of decay of turbulence along the flow axis are constructed for grids with square meshes sized $4.8$, $10$, and $16$ mm. The investigation results demonstrate that solid particles $700$ $\mu$m in size have varying effect on the degree of decay of turbulence. In the case of grids with small mesh sizes of $4.8$ and $10$ mm, the presence of such particles leads to additional generation of turbulence; in the case of a grid with mesh size of $16$ mm, vice versa, the particles suppress the turbulence. Investigations reveal that these tendencies become still more pronounced with increasing concentration of particles. In addition, the investigation of the effect of velocity phase slip reveals that the generation of turbulence increases with the difference between phase velocities. In so doing, variation of the pattern of the effect of particles on turbulence is observed for a grid with large meshes, namely, the suppression of turbulence at low values of velocity slip and generation of turbulence with increasing slip. Based on the results of analysis of experimental data, a criterional parameter is suggested, which defines the effect of particles on the turbulence of two-phase flow, i.e., the ratio of the Reynolds number of particle to the turbulence Reynolds number for gas.