TWO PHASES FLOW

The gravity tends to settling the heavier phase.

There are differents velocity for each phase,
generally the lighter phase has a higher velocity
than heavier phase.
Depending on the classification of the two phases,
flow regime and inclination of pipe conduit.
The major industrial application of two-phase flow
is in the gas-liquid flow.
 Principles of gas (G)-liquid (L) flow

Method of Lockhart and Martinelli

The pressure drop per length unit ratio between liquid
and gas phase can be written as:

The two-phase pressure drop total is equal to the

pressure drop of gas or liquid phase multiplied by a
factor:
 The terms YL and YG are functions of the ratio X

Assuming of each phase flows alone, it can be calculated the

pressure drop for single phase. The superficial velocities are:

qL and qG liquid phase and gas phase volume flow rate respectively.
S pipe cross-sectional area.
 w is mass flow and D is actual pipe diameter.
Re<2000 viscous (laminar) flow.
Re>2000 turbulent flow.

In horizontal pipe the liquid and gas volume fraction or holdup

is a function of X ratio.

Example 1. Air and oil are in concurrent flow through a

horizontal pipe. The following pressure drop calculations were
obtained from Theodore Consultants (a group of engineers
with limited technical capabilities):
(ΔP/Z)G = 2.71 psf/100ft
(ΔP/Z)L = 7.50 psf/100ft
Calculate the dimensional parameter x and εL.
1. Turbulent gas flow-turbulent liquid flow (tt)
Empirical correlation for calculating pressure drop.

In some cases, the pressure

drop calculated with both
equations produce different
results. For design purposes it is
used an average value.
If the volume fraction of one
phase predominates, it is
suggest the pressure drop
equation for that phase.
Example 2. Calculate the pressure drop total if the flow for
both phases is turbulent (example 1).

Answer: ΔP/Z=88.6 pfs/ft for gas pressure drop equation.

ΔP/Z=90.2 pfs/ft for liquid pressure drop equation.
 2. Turbulent gas flow-viscous liquid flow (tv)
Empirical correlation for calculating pressure drop.

Example 3. Calculate the pressure drop total if the flow

for both phases is turbulent (example 1).

Answer: ΔP/Z=55.6 pfs/ft for gas pressure drop

equation.
ΔP/Z=60.5 pfs/ft for liquid pressure drop equation.
3. Viscous gas flow-viscous liquid flow (vv)
Empirical correlation for calculating pressure drop.

Example 4. Calculate the pressure drop total if the

flow for both phases is turbulent (example 1).

Answer: ΔP/Z=33.6 pfs/ft for gas pressure drop

equation.
ΔP/Z=36.1 pfs/ft for liquid pressure drop equation.