Development of models correlating vibration excitation forces to dynamic characteristics of two-phase flow in a tube bundle

Recent experiments revealed significant quasi-periodic forces in both the drag and lift directions in a rotated triangular tube bundle subjected to two-phase cross-flow. The quasi-periodic drag forces were found to be related to the momentum flux fluctuations in the main flow path between the cylinders. The quasi-periodic lift forces, on the other hand, are mostly correlated to the oscillation in the wake of the cylinders. In this paper, we develop semi-analytical models for correlating vibration excitation forces to dynamic characteristics of two-phase flow in a rotated triangular tube bundle for a better understanding of the nature of vibration excitation forces. The relationships between the lift or drag forces and the dynamic characteristics of two-phase flow are established through fluid mechanics momentum equations. A model has been developed to correlate the void fraction fluctuation in the main flow path and the dynamic drag forces. A second model has been developed for correlating the oscillation in the wake of the cylinders and the dynamic lift forces. Although still preliminary, each model can predict the corresponding forces relatively well.