The main objective of this work is to examine the distribution of two-phase annular flow at header-channel junctions simulating the corresponding parts of compact heat exchangers. The parameters considered were mass quality at the inlet of the vertical header and intrusion depth of the horizontal channels into the header wall. The cross-section of the header and the channels were fixed to 24 min x 24 mm and 22 mm x 1.8 mm, respectively. Three different intrusion depths (0, 6 and 12 min beyond the inner wall of the header) were tested for the mass flux and the mass quality ranges of 54-134 kg/m(2) s and 0.2-0.5, respectively. Air and water were used as the test fluids. With zero intrusion-depth, less amount of liquid was separated out through the channels at the rear part. However, with the deeper intrusion (6 and 12 mm), the trend was reversed. The deeper intrusion hindered the liquid to flow into the channels installed at the fore part of the header. Finally, a uniform liquid-flow distribution through the parallel channels could be achieved simply by adjusting the intrusion depth. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [References: 4]
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