Coupling drift-flux models with unequal sonic speeds (Q636095)

The authors consider pipe networks through which multi-component fluids flow. The pipes in the network intersect at joints or junctions. The idea is to propose coupling conditions for the case when the individual fluid components have inequal sonic speeds or compressibility factors. The analysis presented in this paper is an extension of the authors' work [SIAM J. Sci. Comput. 31, No. 6, 4633--4653 (2010; Zbl 1213.35031)], where multi-component flows were considered, in which the sonic speed of fluid components are equal . Here the authors present a conservative isothermal no-slip drift-flux model for multi-component flows. In this model, the closure law, the so-called slip condition, has a vanishing slip function. A standard Riemann problem for the multi-phase model with a pressure law is solved. The Riemann problem at the junction is proved to have a unique solution under some conditions. In general, the authors prove that when the inflow is given and the coupling conditions are defined in a suitable way, one can always solve for the outflow in the outgoing pipe. Some numerical results demonstrate the applicability of the model. The authors also discuss its possible extension to more general networks and nuclear industries.