Homogeneous Flow Model

The homogeneous flow model considers the two fluids to be mixed intimately as
shown in Fig-5.1 such that they can be approximated as a pseudo fluid with suitable
average properties. Thus the single phase equations for continuity, momentum and
energy can be applied to the two phase mixture by merely replacing the fluid property
with mixture property.
The assumptions of the model are as follows: -
➢ The slip velocity between the two phases is negligible or  = 

➢ Two fluids are uniformly mixed and moving as a pseudo fluid at the mixture
velocity or u1 =u2 =jTP.
➢ There is thermodynamic equilibrium between the phases

utp=u1+u2 L

θ D
τw

P (wetted perimeter)

(Fig-5.1)

Accordingly, the mass, momentum and energy equations for two phase homogeneous
flow inclined at an angle θ from the horizontal can be written as

Continuity: WTP = TP uTP A →5.1)

duTP dp
Momentum: WTP = − A − S w − ATP g sin  → 5.2)
dz dz
 dp  S W du
 −  =  w +  g sin  +
 dz  A A dz
  u 2 
d  hTP + TP + gz sin 
= WTP  
dqe dw 2
Energy: − → 5.3)
dz dz dz
The pressure gradient can thus be obtained from eqn (5.2) as:
 dp  S W du
−   =  w + TP g sin  + TP TP → 5.4)
 dz  A A dz

 −dp  S  − dp   − dp  W du
Where   = w ,   =  TP g sin  ,   = TP TP
 dz  f A  dz  g  dz  a A dz

In the above equations

S = perimeter of the pipe = πD for a circular pipe

A = the cross-sectional area of the pipe = D2 for a circular pipe
4
D = pipe diameter
TP = 2 + (1 −  )1 = 2 + (1 −  )1
θ is the pipe inclination from the horizontal orientation
W TP= total mass flow rate = W1 +W2
uTP = j
From single phase flow theory:
 − dp   − dp 
2 2
u 2f G
  = 2 f TP  TP TP or   = TP TP (v1 + xv12 ) → 5.5)
 dz  f D  dz  f D

 − dp  du  − dp  d W 
  = GTP TP or   = GTP  TP  → 5.6)
 dz  a dz  dz  a dz  A TP 

When both density and area changes with length:-

d  1 A 
 − dp     = GTPWTP d  1  GTPWTP d  1 
  = GTPWTP
TP
 +  
 dz  a dz A dz   TP   TP dz  A  →5.7)
d  1  GTPWTP 2 d  1  GTP dA 2
dA
= GTP
2
  + − A −2 = GTP   −
dz   TP   TP dz dz   TP   TP A dz
d  1  d dv dv
 = (xv2 + (1 − x )v1 ) = x 2 + v 2 + (1 − x ) 1 − v1
dx dx

dz   TP dz dz dz dz dz
→ 5.8)
dv dp dv dp
+ x 2 . + (1 − x ) 1 .
dx
= v12
dz dp dz dp dz
Thus from eqns (5.4) to (5.8) we get

2 1 dA  2 dp  dv 2 dv 
+ (1 − x ) 1 
dp 2 dx
(− ) =  TP g sin  + f TP GTP j + GTP v12 −  + GTP  x
dz D  dz TP A dz  dz  dp dp 

Or
 dp  2  dv dv  2 1 dA 
 − 1 + GTP  x 2 + (1 − x ) 1  =  TP g sin  + f TP GTP j + GTP v12
2 dx
− 
 dz   dp dp  D  dz  TP A dz 

Or
2 f TP
GTP (v1 + xv12 ) + GTP v12 − GTP (v1 + xv12 )
dx 1 dA
+  TP g sin 
2 2 2
 − dp  D dz A dz
 = →5.9)
 dz  2  dv 2 dv1 
1 + GTP  x + (1 − x )
 dp dp 

In order to estimate pressure gradient from the aforementioned equation (5.9), the
only unknown is fTP , the equivalent friction factor during two phase flow under

homogeneous equilibrium condition. The other input parameters include the physical
properties and flow rates of the two phases as well as conduit dimension, inclination
and taper. It may be noted that dx/dz can be obtained from the heat balance equation
as discussed in chapter3. Therefore, it is also an input parameter.

Nevertheless, in presence of significant flashing, x cannot be obtained from enthalpy

balance alone since it changes both with enthalpy and pressure or x = x(h, p )

dx  x  dp  x  dh  x  1
=   +  ;   = → 5.10)
dz  p  h dz  h  p dz  h  p h12

Substituting this in equation (5.9), we get:-

dp  2  dv 2 dv1  GTP
2
 x  dp 1 dh   1 dA 
− 1 + GTP  x + (1 − x )  =  g sin  +
2
f G j +   + − 
 TP   TP A dz 
 p  h dz h12 dz 

TP TP TP
dz   dp dp  D

2 2
2 f TP G dh GTP dA
GTP j + TP − +  TP g sin 
 − dp  D  TP h12 dz  m TP A dz
Or  = → 5.11)
 dz   dv 2 dv  x  
1 + GTP + (1 − x ) 1 + v12   
2
x
 dp dp  p  h 
An Estimation of fTP: There are different approaches to estimate the two phase
friction factor fTP .
1.) fTP is assumed to be equal to that which would occur if total flow is assumed to be

all liquid. This is applicable for low quality flows of vapour-liquid or gas-liquid
mixtures. Thus:
f TP = f LO = fn(Re LO ,  / D ) → 5.12)

DGTP
Where Re LO = → 5.13).
L
Therefore,
v1  xv12 
2 2 2
 dp  2f G v 2f G
 −  = LO TP = LO TP (v1 + xv12 ) = 2 f LO GTP 1 +  →5.14)
 dz  f D D D  v1 

 dp   dp   xv 
Or  −  =  −  1 + 12  → 5.15)
 dz  f  dz  fLO  v1 

2
 dp  2f G v
Where  −  = L 0 TP 1 → 5.16)
 dz  fLO D

In eqns (5.12–5.16) subscript L refers to the liquid phase in gas-liquid /vapour-liquid

flow and LO refers to the condition where the entire two phase mixture flows as
 dp 
liquid through the conduit. Thus  −  = frictional pressure gradient calculated
 dz  fLO

from Fanning’s equation for total mixture (liquid + vapour) assumed to flow as liquid.
A similar approach is adopted for high quality flows. In this case
f TP = ( f GO ) → 5.17)

Where ( f GO ) = f (Re GO ) → 5.18)

Subscript GO refers to the condition where the entire two phase mixture flows as
gas/vapour through the conduit.
Nevertheless, in both the cases, the definition of f LO or f GO in the evaluation

 dp 
of  −  does not allow extrapolation to the correct value when x=1 (single phase
 dz  f

vapour flowing through conduit) or x =0 (single phase liquid flow through conduit).
2.) Estimation of f Tp : Considering this problem, a second approach attempts to

estimate fTP for the two phase mixture on the basis of a suitable definition of two-
phase Reynolds number viz
f = f (Re TP ,  / D) → 5.19)

DGTP
where Re TP = → 5.20)
TP
 TP is the suitable two phase viscosity of the mixture. To find TP for a suspension of
fluid spheres at low concentrations,
  2 + 1 
TP = 1 1 + 2.5 → 5.21)
  2 + 2.51 
If suspensions consist of solid sphere,  2 is very large then

TP = 1 (1 + 2.5 ) → 5.22)

This is called Einstein’s equation.

If emulsion consists of bubbles containing gas of a low viscosity
TP = 1 (1 +  ) → 5.23)

These equations are valid at concentrations below about 5% for which change in
viscosity due to second phase is small. Numerous rheological models to account for
larger values of α and particles of various sizes and shapes are available.
Nevertheless, since the details of many two phase mixtures (which are non-
Newtonian) are not available and information about two phase flow patterns are not
known, idealized rheological models cannot be defined.
Accordingly, expressions for viscosity are chosen to fit limiting cases when either
phase is present in the form of relationship between TP and x such that TP = 1 for

x=0 and, TP =  2 for x=1.

The possible forms of relation are: -

1 x 1− x
= + (McAdams Relation) → 5.24)
 TP 2 1
TP = x 2 + (1 − x)1 (Cicchitti Relation) → 5.25)
j1 j
 TP = 1 + 2  2 (Dukler Relation ) → 5.26)
j j
For laminar flow: -
 fTP Re L TP
= = → 5.27)
f f L ReTP  L

Using the Mc Adam’s equation for TP , we get:

−1
 TP   
=  x L + (1 − x )
1
= → 5.28)
L  x 1 − x   G 
 L  + 
 G L 
−1
 dp  2 2   
and  −  = fTP GTp 2 vTP = fl 0GTp 2  xv2 + (1 − x ) v12   x 1 + (1 − x )  5.29)
 dz  f D D  2 

For turbulent flow f TP  0.005 is assumed as a rule of thumb. This expression is not

very accurate for single phase flows in commercial situation where pipes are
subjected to distortion and scaling. But in absence of a better correlation this value of
f TP is chosen as a first choice for turbulent flow.
From the above equation the two-phase frictional pressure drop has been expressed in
terms of related single-phase pressure drop that is the pressure drop encountered when
the entire mixture flows as liquid at the total mass flow rate. Such ratios are termed as
two-phase multipliers in two phase terminology. There are four types of two-phase
multipliers. Two of them  Lo2 and  L2 are expressed in terms of liquid flow only

through the pipe and the other two  go

2
and  g2 are in terms of gas flow only through

the same conduit under the same conditions of temperature and pressure.
The definitions are as follows:
 − dp 
 dz  fTP
 L2 = → 5.31)
0
 − dp  fLO
 dz 

 − dp 
where   is the frictional pressure drop when the entire mixture flows as
 dz  fLO

liquid in the pipe. Mathematically,

 − dp 
2
2f G u
  = Lo TP 1 → 5.32)
 dz  fLO D
  − dp 
 dz  fTP  − dp 
and  L2 = where   is the frictional pressure drop when the liquid
 − dp   dz  fLl
 dz  fL

portion of the two phase mixture flows alone in the pipe. Mathematically,
 − dp  2 f G (1 − x )v1
2

  = L TP → 5.33)
 dz  fLLo D

It may be noted that the friction factors used in eqns (4.32) and (4.33) are not equal
 DGTP 
since f Lo = fn(Re Lo ) = fn  whereas
 l 
 DGTP (1 − x )
f L = f (Re L ) = fn  → 5.34)
 L 
16 16 l
Considering these, it can be noted that, for laminar flow f Lo = = and
Re Lo DGTP

16 16 L
fL = = → 5.35)
Re DGTP (1 − x )

2 f L GTP (1 − x ) u1
2 2

fL  2
= (1 − x )
1 D
Hence = and Lo
= → 5.36)
f Lo 1 − x  L
2 2
2 f Lo GTP u1
D
−1 / 4
f  Re 
And for turbulent flow if Blausius equation is assumed: Lo =  Lo  = (1 − x )
1/ 4

f L  Re L 

And
lo2
=
(1 − x )2 = (1 − x )1.75 → 5.37)
 L2 (1 − x )1 / 4

Both  lo2 and  L2 can be used to find the two phase frictional pressure gradient but

generally  Lo2 and  Go

2
are used in problems of boiling (and condensation) when

saturated liquid (or vapour) enters from one end of the pipe and changes phase as it
flows.  L and
2
 g 2 are generally used in separated flows(Lockhart-Martinelli

correlation) which shall be discussed later.

Limitations of the Homogenous Flow Model: -

• Inapplicable for flow through rapid change in area where no slip

condition fails.
• Not applicable for counter-current flows, which are driven by gravity
acting on the different densities of phases because a suitable average
velocity cannot be determined in this case.
• Applicable for well dispersed flow with a limited void fraction of the
dispersed phase.
• Properties of the phases do not vary widely.
• Body force does not segregate the phase.
• Re-circulatory flow should be absent.

Model valid for bubbly and wispy annular flows especially at high phase flow rates
and pressure

Significance of the denominator term: (Not Included in midsem)

It may be recalled that a similar expression is obtained for predicting pressure drop
during single phase compressible flows through closed conduits. The expression as
given below comprises of a frictional term, gravitational term and an acceleration
term arising due to area change of the conduit in its numerator and (1-Ma2 ) as the
denominator where Ma is the Mach number (u/a) with u being the velocity of flow
and a the velocity of sound in the same medium at the same conditions of temperature
and pressure.
Proceeding in a similar manner, it can be postulated that the denominator in eqns (5.9)
and (4.11) should also correspond to (1-MaTP2 ) where MaTP refers to Mach number of
the two phase mixture under homogeneous flow.
In the denominator of eqn (5.9)
GTP = TP uTP
2 2 2
→ 5.38)

dv2 d  1  − 1 d 2 1  dp 
=   = 2 = − 2 2 ; where  = a2 2 → 5.39)
dp dp   2   2 dp 2 a  d 2  s
dv1 −1
= 2 2 → 5.40)
dp 1 a1

dv1 u
= − Ma1 andMaTP = TP → 5.41)
2
G2
dp aTP

2  dv dv  2 − x 1− x 
2
= − TP uTP  x 2 + (1 − x ) 1  = − TP uTP  2 2 − 2 2 
uTP 2 2
→ 5.42)
  2 a2 1 a1 
2
aTP  dp dp 

2 1− x 
2
uTP x
= TP uTP  2 2 + 2 2  → 5.43)
2

  2 a2 1 a1 
2
aTP

Or,
1 1
aTP = =
2
→ 5.44)
TP 2  x
+
1− x   2
TP  +
(1 −  )1 
 2
 ( 2 a2 ) (1a1 ) 
2
 (  2 a2 )
2
(1a1 )2 

xTP = 2 and (1 − x ) m = (1 −  )1 → 5.45)

1  
= (2 + (1 −  )1 ) +
(1 −  )  → 5.46)
aTP
2
  2 a2
2
1a12 

1a12   2 a2 2  1   2 → 5.47)


= 2 + (1 −  )1 
1
→ 5.48)
2
aTP  2 a22

1
=
(1 −  )1
For air-water mixture: → 5.49)
2
aTP  2 a 22

 a2  d 1   2 a 22  1 − 2 
(
d 2
aTP ) = 2 2  d  (1 −  ) =  − 2 
→ 5.50)
d 1   1  ( −  2 ) 
For
d
d
( )
2
aTP =0 1-2α = 0 or α = ½ → 5.51)

For this value of α, the double differential of aTP is positive. Hence, aTP is minimum

for α = ½.