Analysis of LiBr solution droplet falling film flow between horizontal tubes

To improve the ideal sphere model in the numerical simulation of falling film absorption in droplet mode, the real droplet flow process of LiBr solution between horizontal tubes has been recorded and analyzed. A high speed camera was used to take pictures of the LiBr solution droplet flow behavior between horizontal tubes separated by 16 mm. The variations of droplet surface area and volume with time were obtained using image edge detection technique, spline curve fitting algorithm and 2-dimensional curve revolving integral method. According to the analysis of the droplet evolution characterstics, the droplet formation between the tubes was divided into three phases, including elongation, unsteady column and break and fall, based on which the prediction model of the droplet evolution at different solution amounts was proposed. The prediction curve of the droplet evolution in surface area and volume agreed well with the experimental data, indicating that the model can be applied to mathematical calculation of heat and mass transfer of droplet falling film.