11.

2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

11.2 Flow Patterns of Liquid-Vapor (Gas)

Two-Phase Flow
Before introducing the flow patterns, it is useful
to establish notations and to develop some
fundamental concepts and relationships.
11.2.1 Concepts and Notations
The vapor or holdup void fraction represents the
time-averaged volumetric fraction of vapor in a
two-phase mixture, i.e.,

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Vv
V

dV

Vv
=
dV Vv + Vl

(11.1)

where to represent volume average has been dropped

for ease of notation z dA

Av
A
(11.2)
=
=
v

z dA

Av + Al

Density of the two-phase mixture

=

Vl

l dV +

Vv

v dV

Vl + Vv

TP = (1 ) l + v

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

(11.3)
(11.4)

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Time averaged velocity

Ql
wl =
Al

(11.5)

Qv
Av

(11.6)

wv =

where Ql and Qv are the volumetric flow rates of

the liquid and vapor phases.
The superficial velocity, or volumetric flux, of
each phase is defined as the volumetric flow rate
of that phase divided by the total cross-sectional
flow area in question, i.e.,
Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Superficial velocity, or volumetric flux

Ql
Al + Av
Qv
jv =
Al + Av

jl =

(11.7)
(11.8)

Combining eqs. (11.5) and (11.7) and using the void fraction

jl = wl (1 )
(11.9)
Relationship between superficial velocity and phase velocity
jv = wv
(11.10)
Total volumetric flux of the two-phase mixture
j = jl + jv
(11.11)
Volumetric flow fraction
(11.12)
jv
Qv

jl + jv

Ql + Qv

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

It has been observed experimentally that the one-dimensional

phase velocity of the vapor is normally greater than the onedimensional phase velocity of the liquid in flowing two-phase
systems. A slip ratio is defined as the ratio of the phase velocity of
the vapor to that of the liquid, i.e.,
w
S= v
(11.13)
wl
wv = wl

(11.14)

jv
j
= l
1

(11.15)

jv
jl + jv

(11.16)

which indicates that = for homogeneous flow.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

The quality is defined as the vapor (gas) content of the

two-phase flow. It is a parameter that identifies the
dryness or the wetness of the two-phase system.
m& v
m& l + m& v

(11.17)

m& l = l wl Al

(11.18)

m& v = v wv Av

(11.19)

x=

Mass flux or mass velocity of liquid and vapor

m& l
Gl =
= l jl = l wl (1 )
A
m& v
Gv =
= v jv = v wv
A

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

(11.20)
(11.21)
6

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Total mass flux in two-phase flow

G = Gl + Gv = v jv + l jl = v wv + l wl (1 )

(11.22)

Quality

Gv
(11.23)
x=
m&
Relationship between volume flow rate and quality
m& (1 x)
jl =
l
m& x
jv =
v

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

(11.24)
(11.25)

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

11.2.2 Flow Patterns in Vertical Tubes

Two-phase flow in a vertical tube tends to be more symmetric since

gravity acts equally in the circumferential directions.
The gravitational force plays a more dominant role in the liquid
phase and therefore in the whole of the two-phase flow in a
vertical channel.
Fig. 11.1 shows the flow patterns encountered in vertical upward
flow, where the patterns are defined as follows:

Bubbly flow. Vapor bubbles are dispersed in a continuous liquid

phase. The size of the bubbles varies widely but is generally small
compared to the diameter of the tube.
Slug or plug flow. As the bubble size increases and the bubbles start
to consolidate, plugs can form. The plugs are often bullet-shaped in an
upward flow and may be separated by regions occupied by liquid with
a dispersion of small bubbles. These bullet-shaped plugs are
commonly referred to as Taylor bubbles after the Taylor instability.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Churn flow. As the slug bubbles grow larger, they start to break up,
leading to a more random and unstable flow. Although the vapor
continuously flows upward, the liquid phase may experience intermittent
upward and downward motion since the shear force from the vapor phase
can just balance the imposed pressure gradient and the downward
gravitational force. This oscillatory pattern is termed churn flow, which is
an intermediate regime between slug flow and annular flow. When the
diameter of the vertical tube is small, the flow pattern can change directly
from slug flow to annular flow without going through the churn flow pattern.
Annular flow. At relatively high quality, the thin liquid layer flows along the
inner wall of the tube and the central core of the flow consists of the vapor
(gas) phase. The annular flow is caused by the interfacial shear of the high
velocity gas on the liquid film becoming dominant over gravity. Liquid is
then expelled from the center of the tube to form a film on the tube wall.
Since the vapor core velocity is much higher than the liquid velocity, the
vapor core may ripple the liquid layer and cause waves on the liquid film. It
is also possible that some of the liquid phase may be entrained as small
droplets in the gas core, or for some bubbles may be entrained in the
liquid film.
Wispy annular flow. At a high liquid flow rate, the concentration of the
liquid drops in the vapor (gas) core increases. The merging of these liquid
droplets can lead to large lumps, breaks, or wisps of liquid in the gas core.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

In different regimes of two-phase flow, the pressure drop

and heat transfer characteristics are significantly
different, so it is necessary to identify the conditions
corresponding to the flow regimes described above.
A number of approaches have been developed to allow
two-phase flow regime prediction; these include
analytical and numerical models and the use of
experimental and operational data that have been
collected over the decades by various investigators and
operators.
The models based on experimental data have resulted in
empirical correlations that have had some degree of
success in predicting two-phase flow.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

10

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

The analytical models are based on physical concepts that are often
used to derive continuity, momentum, and energy balances using
simple boundary conditions applied mostly to steady state systems.
In transient systems where boundary conditions are not exact,
numerical models based on physical concepts are used to predict
two-phase flow.
This information has been transformed into a readily available and
simple tool to develop a number of graphic diagrams referred to as
flow maps.
These diagrams represent the flow in terms of important and useful
parameters providing information about flow rate and operating
parameters such as heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop.
Based on these data, flow regimes representing different fractions of
liquid and gas can be observed.
Then, for a given set of operating conditions, the expected flow
regime can quickly be determined.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

11

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Figure 11.1 Flow regimes in vertical upward

two-phase flow
Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

12

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Figure 11.2 Flow regime map obtained by Hewitt and Roberts (1969)
for vertical upward two-phase flow
Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

13

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Example 11.1

Determine the flow regime for vertical upward flow of 0.8

Kg/s of R134a in a vertical 0.1 m diameter tube at -20 C
and 25% quality.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

14

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Solution:

& = 0.8 kg/s, and the diameter of the tube is D =

The mass flow rate is m
0.1m. Therefore, the mass flux of the R11 in the tube is
m& 4m&
4 0.8
2
m& =
=
=
=
101.86
kg/m
-s
2
A D 0.1

The densities of liquid and vapor R-134 at T= 20 C can be found

from the Table B.34 as l = 1358 kg/m3 v = 6.785 kg/m3. The
superficial velocities of the vapor and liquid are obtained from eqs.
(11.24) and (11.25), i.e.,
m& (1 x) 101.86 (1 0.25)
jl =
=
= 0.0562 m/s
l
1358
m& x 101.86 0.25
jv =
=
= 3.75 m/s
v
6.785

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

15

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

The superficial momentum of the liquid and vapor phases are,

respectively:

l jl2 = 1358 0.05622 = 4.30 kg/s 2 -m

v jv2 = 6.785 3.752 = 95.4 kg/s 2 -m

It can be found from Fig. 11.2 that the flow regime is churn flow.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

16

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

jv (m/s)

Figure 11.3
Flow regime
map for vertical
downward twophase flow

jl (m/s)
Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

17

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

11.2.3 Flow Patterns in Horizontal Tubes

Horizontal two-phase flow exhibits flow patterns different

from those in vertical two-phase flow because gravity
acts perpendicularly to the flow direction.
Two-phase flow in horizontal tubes is more complex than
vertical two-phase flow because the flow is usually not
axisymmetric due to the effect of gravity.
The flow patterns encountered in horizontal two-phase
flow are defined as follows and shown in Fig. 11.4:

Dispersed bubble flow. The vapor (gas) phase appears as

distinct bubbles in a continuous liquid phase. The bubbles tend
to rise to the top of the flow due to buoyancy effects. When the
liquid velocity is high, the bubbles may be more uniformly
distributed in the liquid, as in vertical flow.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

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11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Plug flow. An increase of quality results in larger vapor (gas)

bubble size and the formation of bullet-shaped plugs, which
tend to remain at the top of the flow channel due to buoyancy
force.
Stratified flow. The liquid and vapor (gas) velocities in this
regime are relatively slow and the quality is relatively high. The
liquid flows along the bottom of the tube due to gravity while
the vapor (gas) phase flows at the top of the tube. It is also
possible that a very thin layer of the liquid forms at the top of
the flow channel.
Stratified wavy flow. As the vapor (gas) velocity increases in
the stratified flows, the shear forces of the vapor (gas) flow
over the liquid cause ripples on the top of the liquid phase and
result in the formation of waves on the liquid-vapor (gas)
interface. The waves climb up the sides of the tube and the
liquid layer at the bottom of the channel starts to stretch thin.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

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11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Slug flow. The amplitude of the waves increases as

the liquid flow rate increases. The crests can span
the entire tube, and a bridge starts to develop
separating the slugs from one another. However, a
substantial liquid phase remains and gravity pulls it
to the bottom of the flow channel. The top of the flow
channel is still wetted by a relatively thin film of
liquid.
Annular-dispersed flow. Similar to the flow pattern
in vertical two-phase flow, the liquid layer flows near
the inner wall of the tube and the vapor (gas) flows
in the central core. However, the liquid layer at the
bottom is thicker than that on the top of the channel
due to the effect of gravitational force.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

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11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Martinelli parameter

(dpF / dz )l
X=

(
dp
/
dz
)
F
v

1/ 2

(11.26)

Vertical coordinates of the Taitel and Dukler map

F=

v
l v

jv
Dg cos

(11.27)

v jv
Djl
K=

)
Dg
cos

v
v
l
l
2

(dp / dz )l
T=

)
g
cos

v
l

1/ 2

1/ 2

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

(11.28)
(11.29)

21

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Figure 11.4 Flow regimes in horizontal two-phase flow.

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

22

11.2 Flow Patterns of LiquidVapor (Gas) Two-Phase Flow

Chapter 11: Two-Phase Flow

and Heat Transfer

Figure 11.5 Flow regime map for horizontal two-phase flow

Transport Phenomena in Multiphase Systems by A. Faghri & Y. Zhang

23