Abstract
An ultrasonic system has previously been proposed to measure interfacial characteristics of annular two-phase flows in reduced acceleration environments. A computational model based on ray tracing is developed to predict the performance of this system. Effort is concentrated on determining the effect of various interfacial shapes on the amplitude of the measured return signal; these interfaces include dynamic and kinematic waves and slug flows. Experimental data obtained aboard NASA's KC-135 reduced gravity aircraft are used to develop a correlation between the flow parameters and the interfacial structure. This correlation when used in conjunction with the ultrasonic system is shown to allow a direct method for measuring unknown mass flow rates in certain annular flows.
Pautz, Shawn Daniel (1995). A computational study of ultrasonic film thickness measurements in annular two-phase flows under microgravity conditions. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1995 -THESIS -P385.