A CHOKED-FLOW CALCULATION CRITERION FOR NONHOMOGENEOUS, NONEQUILIBRIUM, TWO-PHASE FLOWS

Abstract This study applies the theory of characteristics to a one-dimensional transient model, in order to analyze the conditions for a choked, two-phase flow. The basic hydrodynamic model analyzed is a two-fluid model that includes relative phasic acceleration terms and a nonequilibrium, derivative-dependent exchange of mass. The analytical results provide an algebraic, choked-flow criterion analogous to that for a single-phase flow, except that terms pertaining to relative phase motion and nonequilibrium mass transfer are included. This paper discusses the numerical implementation of the choked-flow criterion in a nonhomogeneous and nonequilibrium finite difference scheme. The use of a mass-transfer model having a derivative dependence is shown to be necessary if self-choking is expected.