~ A Pressure Iteration Scheme

for Two-Phase Flow Modeling

W.H. LEE
Energy Division
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
University of California
Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA

A s t a b l e semi-implicit numerical scheme is &vel@ for solving

nonequilibrium, nonhomogeneous two-phase flaw problems. The basic
%-fluid, six-equation d e l which contains the i n t e r f a c i a l mass,
mentum, and heat transfer is solved by a M i f i e d IMF technique.
During the pressure iteration l a p , the changes i n pressures as well
a s the void fractions are computed simultaneously using t h e mass and
the mxentum equations of both phases. It is found that by coupling
the calculation of the pressure with the void fraction within the same
i t e r a t i o n step, the numerical integration of the basic p a r t i a l
d i f f e r e n t i a l equations is very stable. Good agrement is obtain&
between ccmputer code calculations and test data firrn the tm-pbse
jet inrpingement srperirrwt.
llmmDucTIoN

As p a r t of the e f f o r t of developing a best estimate advanced

containment code, BEAOCW, the two-phase, twoxsrrponent, W h e n s i o n a l
cmpJter p r q r m I(AcHINA C11, was evaluated t o determine the
f e a s i b i l i t y of adapting the KACHINA-type formulations and numerics t o
amtainment problens.
is a p m f u l cmptational tool for analyzing
~ L t k k q - hL C % ~
-phase fluv problems, it does present scme d i f f i c u l t i e s in terms of
numerical mvergence for situations where the vapor void fraction
is near one or near zero [2]. This limitaticm is due to t h e
calculation of void fraction outside the pressure iteration loop.
%.is problem O C C U ~ Sat a l l void fractions, but is particularly severe
a t high and law void fractions.
This paper describes an improve3 semi--licit numerical scheme which
includes calculating the void fraction i n t h e pressure iteration
Imp. The detailed d e r i v a t i m of t h i s new schm which solves the
*fluid, six-equatim d e l are presented al- with a conwtati-1
s i n i l a t i c n of a horizontal *phase, steamwater jet impinging a
vertical f l a t plats aperin-e~t.

407
 .
408 MATHEMATICAL MODELING

'IM Fluid W e 1 and Constitutive Correlations J

When a mixture of two phases (i.e. liquid and vapor) is in

nonequilibrium and nonhorrugeneous conditions, the transfer of mass,
manentun and energy between the two phases is a very amplex and not
w4.l understood phenomenon. At present there are several mathematical
models in existance in the literature postulating the interaction
beteen the ha phases and consequently, several formulations exist
which describe the governing cmversation equations 131. In the
present w r k , the two fluid d e l of Hatlow and Amden [l] is chosen.
In this model, separate conservation equations are formulated for each
phase and the interaction between the phases is accounted for by inclding
evaporation (or condensation), interfacial drag and interfacial heat
transfer term in the correqxnding mass, m n t u m and energy
equations, respectively. However, two modifications have been made to
the Ha~low's original energy formulaticns. The present two-fluid
model a s m e s that the effects of drag-dissipatim and
pressure compression energy associated with the void fraction and
volume change are distributed to bth phases. The model, therefore,
solves the conservation equations (2-continuity, 4-mmenturr1,and
2-energy) alcng with the required constitutive correlations.
!Ibe field equations for the two fluid d e l are:

&,ss conservation:

for liquid phase, and

for the vapor phase.

bhentum conservation:

+ K(6d - 6v)
far the vapor phase.
A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 41 1

The correlations Q and Rv are obtained fran Reference [ 5 ] with

rp defined by J3quaticn (ll).
Numerical SOluticn Procedures
An outline of the semi-implicit numerical scheme wbich solves the
two-fluid, six-equaticn model follows:
1. Ccnsider both vapor and liquid phases to be compressible.
2. Calculate pressure p and vapr void fraction e inside the
iteration loop. V
3. ccanplte the residue masses m(g) and m(Dd) from the
continuity equations for vapr and liquid respectively, based
on iteration step m.
4. U s e the relationships Dv = Dv(p,eV ) Dd = Dd(Pre,) and
I

the m n t u m equations to obtain

aD"
- aDd aDv
- aDd
, a n d -
aey aey
I - ,

aP" aPm

and then obtain pml and v .

e mtl
6. The therimdynamic vapor density Pv is obtained fran
pv = P,(p,IJWs and the therrrcdymmic liquid density
is obtained fran pd = p ~ ~ p .where . ~ EDS) ~stands
for 4uatian of State. I
7. ?he local vapr density is: pv = SVPv, a d the
liquid density is: Pd = (1-e,)?d,
8. Calculate the new vapor and liquid velocities
newVv, neyrj, ad neyld frm m t m . equations.
9. Check mvergence, i.e., see if %< C 1 and
% < c-2 , where E 1 d c2 are sane specified
mall nmbers.
10. If step 9 is satisfactory, then the calculations are
finished, otherwise 90 back to step 3 for new iteratian until
it mverges or stops at some desired iteration step (e.g.,
iter = 100).
n. iifter step 10, the eplerg-y qiatians -kll k e IX& to ealuiate
the internal energy Iv and Q.
The detail derivations of m a t r i x coefficients a m a r i w in step 5 are
given in the next sectian.
412 MATHEMATICAL MODELING

aDd
- aDd
aDV
Derivations of r - I - r d -
aPm aPm aem ae"
In this section, the derivatives of the mass equation of both p h s e s with
respect to pressure ancl vapor void fraction are presented. For the
p n _ p O ~ eof sbplicity, the vapr void fraction e w i l l be replaced by e
for a n the expressim a w a r d i n this sectian."m c e spacial ~
location index, i, j, i-+,i+b j-+, and j+%are s k in Figure 1.
The interfacial mass and mentum transfer terms due to evaporation
mpd axdensaticn are omsidered i n step 3, 8 and 10 of previous
section tut not in the derivatians of aq,/aP, aDd/aP, aqJae,
aWa e-
Therefore, the liquid mass equation is
 A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 409

* Energy conservation:
V-Cd] = Ed + R(TV - Td) + K,6 (Ud
+ - Uv)
+ . 2

+V-kd8 d VTd + Via -

+.
Pedv-ud (5)
for the liquid phase, an3

J
1
'[3 +
p~ at
V - - IvV.$v = Ev + R(Td - Tv)

for the vapor phase.

Sirce the velocity vector is
*
U = Ui + Vj (7)
where U an3 V are the velccity canponents i n r ard z directions,
respectively, me can have two nanentum equations for each phase. The
volunie fracticn of liquid an3 vapor phases are defined as:

In order to close the set of equations, one needs the additional

informticn: i.e., three interface jump conditions (interfacial mass,
mentum, an3 heat transfers), equatim-f-state for both phases, and
b d a r y restrictions, ~ m e i y ,w a l l f r i c t i o n and the wall heat wiirces
or sinks.
The ahwe mentimed 2-mass, 4 - m t m , 2-energy equations and (8) m.
are solved as an i n i t i a l and bwndarv value probiem to obtain Bvl 9d,
P! ud, uv, Vvr Id, and Iv- the densities of htt~ phases, pd
and pv,are provided through the use of the equation-of-state.
In general, the drag function K is dependent on the flow regime, local
void f r a c t i m , vapr and liquid density, ReymMs' nimber, and p k s e
velocity. In the present work, the drag &el K, as suggested by
Rivard 141, is:
410 MATHEMATICAL MODELING

'Ihe evaporatim and axdensation rates, rv and rdr are determined

from:

rv = A&(T~ - Ts)fls , for Td 2 Ts (12)

= o , for Td < Ts

where and Adare time relaxation parameters with unit l/sec.

For the tested problem described in this ~ p r , and Ad are set

equal to 0.1.
For the dispersed flw regime, the interfacial. heat transfer
coefficient Q and Rv are calculated from

kd (14)
R~ = 8.067
P
for the liquid phase and
= 1P [1 + 0.37 R;33~ (15)
. A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 413

'1
Using the same aproach, 0% will obtain
 1

and

a
Substituting Q. (19) through (22) into a. (18), it follms

*. ..
A l s o , using the same approach, one gets

Amlying -
a to Elq. (17), it follows
aij

n+l
- -a (6 ,!jvd>
i
A similar expression for no& p i n t i+ is
 Using the same aproach, one g e t s

and

The vapor density equaticn is

rnlying a above equation, it m e s

1
A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 42 1
422 MATHEMATICAL MODELING

Substituting m. (46) through (50) i n t o a. ( 4 5 ) , we have

4. (29), (30), (371, and (51) w i l l provide the necessary information

for

-
aDV aDd aDV aDd
ae" ae"
I - 1 - r a d -
aPm 3P"
A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 423

Simulation of !'Am Phase Jet Impinged on V e r t i c a l Plate

A horizmtal -phase, steam-water jet impinging on a vertical f l a t
plate experiment [ 6 ] was simulated by the ccdnputer program. The
experimental set-up and its i n i t i a l operating conditions including the
Pressure, t h e temperature, flaw quality, and mass flux are shown i n
Fig. 2. A t t i m e t = 0.0 sec, a high pressure jet containing a mixture
of steam (67%, i.e., e,= 0.067) and water (33% or ed 7 0.33)
enters into a stagnant atmosphere a d impinges cm a v e r t i c a l plate.
cx1 the plate, there are five stations recording the stagnation
pressure. This experiment is simulated, using 8 x 16 cells, z and r
direction respectively, for a half jet only ( axisymetricdl flav
is assumed).

Figure 3 presents a comparison between the calculated results obtained

by the code , the steady state pressure measurements on the w i n g e d
plate, and r e s u l t s obtained from a sensitivity study of variations of
interfacial drag coefficient (K). Note that agreement is godl between
the experimental data on ressure distribution and the calculated
results with K = 2.2 x 10f; (Kg/&/sec). By changing the vapr
bubble or liquid droplet nunber density, N, as appeared i n Q. (10)
and (ll), me w i l l get different values of K. Tfie effects of K an the
ccmplted p l a t e pressure are also shown i n Fig. 3.
The transient and the steady state vapr velocity vectors are shown in
Fig. 4 w i t h the maximum velocity of 278 m/sec near the O u t k t b o w
when the flow reaches the steady state condition. The m s l i p , free s l i p ,
arid cOntinuOuS outflow boundaries j q m s e d on the mileling are also
described. The isobaric contours are plot- in Fig. 5 showing the
transient arid the steady state pressure distirubtion. The highest
p r e s s x e ContoUT with. p = 3.8 MPa is lmtd near the j e t center,
where the l e s t one is p = 0.12 ma near the o u t l e t region. The
transient and the steady state vapr twrperature distribution is shown
i n Fig. 6, &=e the vapr void fraction distribution in Fig. 7.

T b e present numerical scheme has been fcuned very stable in t e r n of

campltational pressure osciiiation. It ais0 exhiioits f a s t convergence
during the pressure iteratim lcop. It should be pointed out that the
Convergerce speed can be inproved by applying the under or
overrelaxatim methd. For example i f me usesur, andw
associated w i t h solving Q. (X),such as
 MATHEMATICAL MODEL1NG

l and

the -vergence speed w i l l be faster. The ranges of wV and wd

depend on t h e relaxation procedure ard should be
O<wv'<1 and O<wd S 1 for Jacobi's mthod,

O<q,'< 2 an3 0<wd 2 f o r Gauss-Seidel metbod.

Since the present m r k is carried out by using Jacobi's method,rY, =

% = 0.95 has been selected.
I n sirmilaw the jet impingerent problem, it is found t h a t the
canp~t-dtiomls t a b i l i t y is sensitive to the i n t e r f a c i a l -turn
transfer coefficient K and the interfacial sensible heat transfer
parameter R. By doing the s e n s i t i v i t y study of these two pameters,
the lower bcund values of K and R are found to be approximately equal
to lo3 ( K G / S f i 3 ) and lo6 (J/K/Sfi3). When using value of K
and R lower than these l i m i t s , one w i l l not be able to obtain a s t a b l e
solution. It is axlcluded that a unique and stable solution can m l y
be obtained for certain ranges of K and R which are dependent on the
bubble or droplet size, local t h e d y n a m i c and transport properties,
and most hqmrtant the flm regime.

Ackmwledgment

This wrk m s accomplished a t Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

an3 supported by U.S. N u c l e a r Regulatory Coaranission. The author is
g r a t e f u l to Dr. W i l l i a m C. Rivard of Group 'F3, Lc6 Alaws S c i e n t i f i c
Laboratory for h i s valuable discussions.
A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 425

Dimensionless Numbers

cd = drag coefficient

Roman Letters

cP = specific heat

n
Y
= v.5
E = heat sources due to mass transfer and wall heat transfer

g = acceleration of gravity

I = specific internal energy

k = heat conduction coefficient

K = drag function

N = number of particle per unit volume

P = pressure

Pr = Prandtl's nmber

= radius of particle
rP

R = exchange function describing heat transfer between fields

Re = Reynold's number

t = time

T = temperature

-
U = velocity,.with components U and V in the r and z directions,
respectively
426 MATHEMATICAL MODELING

U = velocity in R direction

V = velocity in Z direction

Vi = source to internal energy from viscous dissipation

W = momentum density source from viscous effects

Greek Letters

B = (aD/aP)-l

r = interfacial mass transfer

y = ratio of specific heats

E = specified small number

0 = void fraction

X = time relaxation parameter

= dynamic viscosity

v = Kinematic viscosity

p = microscopic material density

p’ = macroscopic material density, e.g. p*= 0 p

v v v
w = relaxation factor

Subscripts

d = droplet or liquid phase

i = indicates the cell number in r direction

s = at saturation point

v = vapor

Superscripts
A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 427

j = right hand superscript indicates the cell number i n Z

direction

m = right hand superscript indicates the iteration steps

n = left hand superscript indicates time level is n-At

- = indicates the value at new iteration step

1. Harlow, F. H. and Arrsden, A. A., "Flaw of Interpenetrating

Material Phases", J. m. Physics, 18,440-464, (1975).
2. Lee, W. H. and Lyczkmski, R. W. "Developnent of a state of the
Art Reactor Containment Prcgram", 17th Natioml Heat Transfer
Ccnference, Salt Lake City, U t a h , AICHE Papers, 130-138, (1977).
3. Ishii, M. "Therm-Fluid Dynamic Theory of Tbm-Phase Flaw",
Collection de la Direction des Etudes et Recherches D'Eletricite
de France (Eyrolles,Paris, 1975).
4. Rivard, W. C. and Torrey, M. D., "Mrmerical Calculation of
Flashing from Lcng Pipes Using a -Field Mcdel", IA-6104-1G, Los
Alarm, New Mexico (November 1975).

5. &;oibrig, C. W. et. ai., "Heat Transfer and Friction Correlations

Required to Describe SteamWater Behavior in Nuclear Safety
Studies", 15th National Heat Transfer Conference, San Francisco,
California, (August 1975).
6. Schweickert, H., "Untersuchung der Vorgage in e i m mehrfach
unterteilten containment beim Bruch einer Kuhlmittelleitung
wassergekuhlter Reaktoren," Technischer Bericht BFR 50-32432-1,
Kraftwerk Union, Germany, (1976).
428 MATHEMATICAL MODELING

j+l

i-1 i-31 i i++ ii-1

Figure 1. The spatial I n d a and the Primary Variable Location

with Solid Lines Representing the Nerian Cells

VESSEL7 nLvE7

\ 1 uu uu -'- I I
W

E X I T CONDITIOWS
P = 3.4 hi Pa Y"
T = 510.8.K
e,= 0.67
Y/A=3.055 X IO' hg /n2-s(t

Figure 2 . schematic Layout of 'IW Phase Jet ixpingment

Experiment
A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 429

I i I I

0 EXPERIMENTAL DATA

8
K=2.2 x 10

*\ \ K=2.0 x 10
7

:=2.2

I I I
-- -
--
I
5 !O !5 20
RADIAL DISTANCE, mm
Kg
Figure 3. Stagnation Pressures on the Plate a s a Function of K(-)
In3 s
43 0 MATHEMATICAL MODELING

. . . . . . .
. . . . . . NO slip]
L . . . . . .
*
I

Figure 4. V a p o r V & c c i t y Distribution:

-6
(a) At e 5 . 0 x 10 sec, Um=124 m/s,
(b) At e 5 . 0 x 10-5sec, Um=203 m/s,

(c) At k8.0 x (steady s t a t e ) , Um=278 m/s

-6
I
~ ~~

G5.0 x 10 sec

.
Prrax=2.2MPa

I)
P,in=o.2 ma

Pmin=0.2 MPa

Figure 5. Transient and Steady S t a t e Pressure Distribution

 A PRESSURE ITERATION SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODELING 431

i.

~~

Figure 6. Vapor T a p s r a t w e Distribution:

(a) A t e 5 . 0 x 10-6sec,T IMX=489 K, Tmir,,375 K,

(b) A t e 5 . 0 x 10-5sec,Tmax=494 K, Tmin=375 K,

( c ) A t e8.0 X lOY5sec(Steady State), T-=500 K, T-413 K.

1 e5.0 x 1

/I
L
=O. 33

F i v e 7 . T r a n s i e n t aril S t d y State V m Void &action Distribution