Flow velocities in an experimental kettle reboiler determined by particle image velocimetry

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 1000 - 1016
• Main Authors: Burnside, B.M., Miller, K.M., McNeil, D.A., Bruce, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: 2-Phase flow; Applied sciences; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); Heat transfer; Kettle reboiler; PIV; Kettle reboiler; PIV; Heat transfer; 2-Phase flow; Two phase flow; Hydrocarbon; Pressure drop; Heat exchanger; Speed measurement; Particle image velocimetry; Experimental study; Boiling; Pentane; Reboiler
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2004.09.023

A particle image velocimetry (PIV) autocorrelation technique was applied to produce whole field vector maps of flow beneath and to the side of a 17 row × l7 column kettle reboiler thin slice rig, boiling pentane at atmospheric pressure. The flow proved to be time dependent. The average values of the mass flowrates of the recirculating liquid were evaluated at various positions and compared to predictions of models of the flow which reproduced the measured pressure drops [B.M. Burnside, K.M. Miller, D.A. McNeil T. Bruce, Heat transfer coefficient distributions in an experimental kettle reboiler thin slice, Trans. IChemE 79A (2001) 445–452]. The use of the results as a platform for 2D numerical modelling of the flow is emphasised.