7R8. Two-Phase Flow: Theory and Applications.- Edited by C Kleinstreuer (Dept of Mech and Aerosp Eng, N Carolina State Univ). Taylor & Francis Publ, New York. 2003. 454 pp. ISBN 1-59169-000-5. $125.00.
Reviewed by P Griffith (Dept of Mech Eng, MIT, Rm 7-044, Cambridge MA 02139).
This book is written primarily as a text for an interdepartmental, graduate course in multiphase flow. The level of mathematics assumed in this book is unlikely to be appropriate for undergraduates. Though experimental results are cited whenever it is appropriate, the focus of the book is in describing the analytical models that are available for handling a wide range of two-phase flow problems of interest to a variety of engineers. The experiments are not stressed. Though the examples that are presented in some detail are of primary interest to mechanical, bio-medical, and chemical engineers, the tools that are introduced are also of interest to many nuclear and some environmental engineers. An assumption underlying much of what is presented in the book is the problems will, ultimately, be solved on a computer.
The book starts with a compact review of single phase, incompressible fluid mechanics. It then proceeds to develop in general terms the conservation equations for mass, momentum and energy that form the basis of all the solutions for fluid mechanics problems. At that point the author goes on to present the various models that have been developed to solve these problems. These include the homogeneous model, the drift flux model, the separated flow model, the two-fluid model, flow regime based models and several variations on these models. This part of the book is particularly useful because of this section. No other text has such a complete a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the various models. These models are compared on the basis of the kinds of problems they are particularly well adapted to and for, and the nature and amount of empirical information that must be provided in order for the model to be used. Mention is made of the analytical difficulties that might arise when a particular model is adopted and what constitutes an appropriate set of boundary conditions.
An equally useful feature of this book is a listing of a number of canned, general-purpose fluid mechanics codes that can be used to solve the problems that arise in two-phase flows. The comparison is in the form of a chart and lists the kinds of problems that can be solved and the kind of supporting information that must be provided. In order to complete the formulation of the problem. The guidance given in this book on model selection and code selection is unique and very useful.
The later sections in Two-Phase Flow: Theory and Applications are devoted to examples demonstrating the application of these tools to a variety of problems. These examples include the following;
Spray modeling,
Bubble column modeling,
Solids suspension in a turbulent flow,
Blood flow in blood vessels to identify where deposits will build up, and
Solids carried with air into lungs to identify where solids are deposited.
These examples are useful illustrations but are well documented so they can be cited as solutions to these problems.
This book provides an up-to-date survey of the models and analytical methods now available to solve a great variety of two-phase flow problems. The computer programs that are available along with their strengths and weaknesses are listed. It is not a handbook but it does contain an extensive list of references and the details for the problems that are described.
