The Thermal Two-phase Flow facilities are located in the Thermal Engineering Laboratory at NTNU. The laboratory has been developed by Prof. Maria Fernandino (Thermo fluids Group) and Prof. Carlos Dorao (Thermo fluids Group). See also Natural Gas Technology Group.

Two Phase-flow Instabilities

This facility allows us to study density wave oscillations (DWO), pressure drop oscillations (PDO), thermal oscillations in single- and parallel- heated, horizontal channels. The working fluid is R134a, with operational pressures ranging from 4-10bar and 20C subcooling, flowing in pipes of 0.5mm inner diameter. The facility is instrumented with thermocouples, pressure transducers, flowmeters, and an optical access window for flow visualization studies.  

Micro Heat Transfer

In this loop, we can study the formation, growth and detachment processes of bubbles occurring during flow boiling in small diameter channels. Channels inner diameter range form 0.3 - 0.8mm. The working fluid is R134a with maximum operational pressure of 10bar. Heat is applied via Joule effect by using ITO coatings on glass tubes.

Gas-Liquid separation

The goal of this project is to develop and test new technology in the field of gas-liquid separation. A new concept of a gas-liquid separator is being developed. Lab tests are performed using air and water as working fluids. A high-pressure prototype was tested at CEESI facility, USA, with hydrocarbon fluids at 60bar, with successful proof of concept of the new technology.

Liquid-Liquid Gravity Separation

Sedimentation of water-in-oil droplets is studied with this experimental setup. Micro-sized droplets down to 20um are generated with a high voltage power supply (EHD) and are visualized with a NIR-camera to have optical access through the dark crude oil. Experiments include the characterization of droplet settling velocity and droplet-interface dynamics.

Lab Equipment

The laboratory counts with the following equipment and capabilities:

• High-speed visualization: SA3 high speed camera (Photron), line CCD Camera 29 KHz(Basler), CMOS camera 20fps (Thorlabs), near-infrared (NIR) camera Goldeye P-008 NIR.
• Laser and optics: Oxford Laser (pulse laser 808nm, 50KHz, 300W), Thorlabs laser source (635nm, 2.5mW), diode lights, long-distance microscope K2-SC, numerous lenses, mirrors, and other optical components. 
• CCD Spectrometer (200-1100nm).