An Improved Correlation for Two-Phase Frictional Pressure Drop in Boiling and Adiabatic Downflow in the Annular Flow Regime

Abstract

An improved correlation is presented for annular two-phase frictional pressure drop data for vertical downflow. An ideal dimensionless film thickness based on the vapour volume fraction, a characteristic friction factor based on the two-phase frictional pressure gradient and a Weber number relevant for the interfacial capillary wave structure are the correlating parameters. The proposed new correlating scheme is tested against a wide range of data obtained in this investigation for refrigerant R11 in forced convection boiling and in adiabatic test sections of 19 mm cylindrical cross-section as well as published data for air-water and air-glycerine solution mixtures in the annular flow regime. Over 80 per cent of the measured values fall within ±30 per cent of those predicted from the correlation. Due to the wide range of liquid film thickness covered, 0.05–2.9 mm, its validity extends past the range where previously reported downflow pressure drop correlations fail. A paradox connected with previously reported annular downflow pressure drop correlations based on the liquid-vapour interfacial shear stress is pointed out. Upflow frictional pressure drop data in the annular flow regime can also be correlated by the proposed scheme.