Numerical Analysis on the Freezing Process of Internal Water Flow in a L-Shape Pipe

Abstract

In this study, the freezing process of L-shaped pipe exposed to the outside was investigated numerically by considering the mushy zone of freezing water. From the numerical results, it was found that the flow was outwardly directed due to the influence of the L-shaped bending part in the outside exposed part of the pipe, and the ice was formed in the shape of longitudinal corrugation on the wall surface of the pipe after the bending part. It is confirmed that this phenomenon is caused by the venturi effect due to the freezing as seen in connection with the velocity distribution in the pipe. It is found that the remelting phenomenon at the end of the freezing section occur simultaneously during the process of forming the ice in the pipe section. In regard of the factors affecting freezing, it was found that the thickness of the freezing layer is increased as the exposed pipe surface temperature is decreased, and the pipe surface temperature had a significant effect on the change of the freezing layer thickness. At the same time, it was found that the freezing layer becomes relatively thin when the water inflow rate is increased. This phenomenon was caused by reducing the exposure time of freezing water due to the vigorous flow convection of the water fluid.