An approach for modeling the performance of thermal bubble pump

Abstract EN

This study suggests a new theoretical analysis for the thermal bubble pump system.

The main application of this system is to replace the mechanical pump in vapor absorption refrigeration system.

The analysis is based on utilizing one-dimensional slug flow model to describe the void fraction in the riser tube of the pump, and adopting an appropriate method to evaluate the two-phase frictional pressure drop.

The model is capable to predict the maximum pumping capacity of the pump in terms of the operation and configuration parameters.

Three tube diameters (6.

5,10, and 14mm) with four submergence ratios (0.

5, 0.

6, 0.

7, and 0.

8) were experienced using water as a working fluid.

Results indicate that the maximum pumping capacity is positively increased with increasing the submergence ratio and tube diameter at a fixed riser tube length.

The maximum pumping capacity is found to be independent of the liquid temperature at the inlet to the generator under the assumption of stable operation of the pump.

It is obtained that the slip ratio decreases with the increasing of the submergence ratio and slightly decrease with the decreasing of the tube diameter.