Performance simulation and theoretical analysis of microgravitydynamic gas-liquid separator

The research on the performance of microgravity dynamic gas-liquid separation is of great significance for the design and optimization of gas-liquid separation technology. A theoretical model based on the annular flow and couette flow assumptions is established according to internal structure and flow patterns of dynamic gas-liquid separator. Eulerian two-fluid model with an interface probability approximation method is proposed to describe multi-scale gas-liquid interfaces in the mixed flow caused by the flow pattern transformation, and the multiple references approach is used to deal with the issue of variables interaction between rotating and non-rotating regions. Both theoretical analysis and simulation are applied to studying the quasi-steady state and transient characteristics with dimensionless parameters of dynamic gas-liquid separator. The results show that the results from simulation model and theoretical model have a strong mutual authentication relationship; quasi-steady state pressure ratio and power consumption characteristics provide a basis for parameters design, and energy efficiency ratio determines the optimum operating range; transient characteristics during the separation stage are independent of inlet flow parameters; however, they are dependent of inlet flow parameters and the damping of liquid outlet during transport stage; once the transport pressure is chosen as a sufficient condition, liquid separation efficiency cannot be affected by inlet flow parameters.