Lockhart-Martinelli parameter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Lockhart-Martinelli parameter is a dimensionless number used in internal two-phase flow calculations. It expresses the liquid fraction of a flowing fluid. Its main application is in two-phase pressure drop and boiling/condensing heat transfer calculations.

It is defined as:

\chi = \frac{m_\ell}{m_g} \sqrt{\frac{\rho_g}{\rho_\ell}},

where

  • m_\ell is the liquid phase mass flowrate;
  • mg is the gas phase mass flowrate;