Two-phase flow modelling is strongly dependent on flow patterns. For the purpose of objective flow pattern identification, a capacitance sensor was developed for horizontal two-phase flow in small diameter tubes. Finite element simulations were made during design to study the effect of vapour distribution, wall thickness and electrode angle. A test rig was constructed and a series of experiments was done with horizontal air–water flow in a 9 mm tube. The sensor test results are presented in time, amplitude and frequency domain. Flow regime characterization with the capacitance measurements is clearly possible.

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Abstract.The presence of hygroscopic materials has a large impact on the moisture balance of buildings. Nowadays, HAM (Heat, Air and Moisture) models are widely used to investigate the role of hygroscopic materials on the performance of buildings, i.e. on the building envelope, the indoor climate and valuable objects stored within the building. Recently, these HAM models are being coupled to CFD models to study the moisture exchange between air and porous materials on a local scale (microclimates), or to BES (Building Energy Simulation) models which focus on the interaction between air and porous materials at building level. Validation of these numerical codes is essential to gain confidence in the codes. However, available experimental data are rather scarce. This paper describes the design of a new test facility for humidity experiments. A dedicated AHU system is used to provide well-controlled air (constant temperature and RH) to an airtight and well-insulated room-size test chamber. In one of the walls of the chamber a calcium silicate sample is installed. A step in RH of the supply air is imposed. Temperature and RH of the supply air, the room air and on various depths inside the sample are continuously registered during the experiments. Two types of experiments were carried out to validate a coupled CFD-HAM model and a coupled BES-HAM model. The temperature outside the test chamber was controlled and there was no temperature difference imposed across the chamber walls. Comparing the models with the measured data gave satisfactory agreement.

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