Simulation of Two-phase Flows in Vertical Tubes with the Cfd Code Flubox

The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code FLUBOX is developed at GRS for the multidimensional simulation of two-phase flows. The single-pressure two-fluid model is used as basis of the simulation. A basic mathematical property of the two-fluid model of FLUBOX is the hyperbolic character of the convection. The numerical solution methods of FLUBOX make explicit use of the hyperbolic structure of the coefficient matrices. The simulation of two-phase flow phenomena needs, apart from the conservation equations for each phase, an additional transport equation for the interfacial area concentration. The concentration of the interfacial area is one of the key parameters for the modelling of interfacial friction forces and interfacial transfer terms. A new transport equation for the interfacial area concentration is in development. It describes the dynamic change of the interfacial area concentration due to mass exchange and a force balance at the phase boundary. Results from FLUBOX calculations for different experiments of two-phase flows in vertical tubes are presented as part of the validation.