Investigation on the noise induced by gas-liquid two-phase flow in a capillary tube

In order to research the noise generated by gas-liquid two-phase flow within capillary tubes in refrigeration systems, this study employs a numerical simulation method based on the volume of fluid model and evaporation-condensation model. The noise of gas-liquid two-phase flows is generated by refrigerant vaporization in capillary tubes under different inlet temperatures and diameters. The results of this study showed that two-phase flow noise in capillary tubes predominantly exists in the frequency range of 0-200 Hz, corresponding to low-frequency noise. Under different inlet temperature and diameter conditions, the total sound pressure level (TSPL) of a two-phase flow noise increased with the increase in the capillary tube diameter. Moreover, when the inlet temperature was 316.6 K, as the diameter increased from 1 to 1.9 mm, TSPL increased from 32.02 to 34.36 dB. In addition, as the inlet temperature gradually decreased, TSPL increased. Furthermore, it was found that the lower the inlet temperature, the greater the increase in TSPL. When the inlet temperatures were 316.6, 313.6, 310.6, and 307.6 K, and the diameter increased from 1 to 1.9 mm, TSPL increased by 2.34, 3.41, 4.1, and 5.38 dB, respectively, corresponding to the relative increase of 7.31%, 10.23%, 11.85%, and 15.34%. Finally, using an orthogonal analysis, a criterion relationship was obtained for predicting the TSPL of gas-liquid two-phase flow noises in capillary tubes under different conditions. This study provides guidance for noise control and structural optimization of capillary tubes considering the gas-liquid two-phase flow.