Application of RQA and SOM for identification of two-phase flow patterns during boiling in horizontal minichannel

Abstract

In the paper, numerical methods of data analysis recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) and self-organizing map (SOM) have been used to analyse pressure drop oscillations during the flow boiling in minichannel. The performed analysis allows us to identify flow patterns based on the character of the pressure drop oscillations. The following two-phase flow patterns have been identified: liquid flow, liquid flow with small vapour bubble, slug flow, long slug flow and confined bubble flow. In the experiment, the open-loop boiling system in a circular horizontal minichannel with an inner diameter of 1 mm was investigated. The two-phase flow patterns at the outlet of the heated section were observed through the glass tube (with an inner diameter of 1 mm) and recorded by a high-speed camera Phantom v1610.