NUKLEONIKA 2005, 50(1):43-46
L. Petryka, M. Zych, R. Murzyn
Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology,
30 Mickiewicza Ave., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Two-phase flows, especially those commonly applied during hydraulic exploitation of minerals, are
often characterized by the presence of serious variations of density. The adequate control of
such a system produces high discrepancy of the mixture velocity. These flows cannot be examined by
traditional impulse injection of a tracer.
A solution to these difficulties is proposed based on the application of sealed sources and measuring
methods calibrated by radiotracers during steady conditions of the flow. The paper presents the
results of a full-scale test in a laboratory installation where the stream of water is
transporting upwards naturally dispersed nodules through a o150 mm vertical pipe.
A specially designed equipment allows the control of mixture density as well as the measurement of
water and the velocity of particular nodules. The obtained results illustrate the capabilities
of radiotracers and possibilities how they can be applied in different two-phase flows, when both
density and velocity of the components significantly vary during observation.