Multiphase systems fundamental quantities

Bassi Andrea
11 ottobre 2018

Indice

1 Basics 1
1.1 Multiphase system denition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Phase denition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Fundamental Quantities 1
2.1 Total mass ow rate Γ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.2 Cross-section average mass quality x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.3 Thermodynamic quality xth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3.1 Thermodynamic quality and Mass quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.4 Volume ow rate Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.5 Volumetric quality xv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.5.1 Volumetric quality and Mass quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.6 Mass ux G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7 Apparent mass ux G∗i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.8 Volume ux J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.9 Supercial (apparent) velocity Ji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.10 Actual velocity ui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.11 Cross-section average void fraction α . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.12 Local and average quantities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.12.1 Local and average actual velocity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.12.2 Local and average void fraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.13 Slip Ratio s and s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.13.1 Models and approaches to the study of multiphase systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.13.2 Relation between the void fraction α, the mass quality x, the volume quality xv
and the slip ratio s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.14 Density of a mixture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.14.1 Photographic density ρ∗ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.14.2 Bulk density ρb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.14.3 Densities comparison and relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

i
1 Basics
1.1 Multiphase system denition
A multiphase system is a system which is heterogeneous, i.e. a system which is composed of a collection
of homogeneous subsystem.
A homogeneous system is a system in which chemical and physical properties are uniform throughout
the system.

1.2 Phase denition

Each homogeneous subsystem is called a phase.
Phases are separated by boundaries which are called interfaces.

2 Fundamental Quantities
2.1 Total mass ow rate Γ
The mass ow rate of the phase i is denoted with the greek letter Γi and it is dened as
dmi
Γi := (2.1)
dt
The total mass ow rate is the result of the summation of the mass ow rates of each single phase. Thus,
we can write
M
(2.2)
X
Γ= Γi
i=1
Dividing this equation by Γ we get
M
Γi
(2.3)
X
1=
i=1
Γ
If we apply this result to two-phase systems gas/vapor-liquid we get the following equation
Γ = Γg + Γl (2.4)
Dividing this equation by Γ we can derive a particular result:
Γg Γl
1= + (2.5)
Γ Γ
This directly leads to the next quantity we are going to introduce.

2.2 Cross-section average mass quality x

The cross-section average mass quality x is dened as the ratio of the gaseous phase mass ow rate and
the total mass ow rate:
Γg
x := (2.6)
Γ
It is the intensive property that expresses mass fraction in a multiphase mixture that is vapour/gaseous-
liquid.
For two-phase systems only, we can apply equation (2.5) and therefore write
Γl
=1−x (2.7)
Γ
Cross-section average mass quality is a way of evaluating the relative presence of gaseous phase, based on
a mass balance approach. For the same purpose there are also other valid quantities that we are going
to introduce.

1
2.3 Thermodynamic quality xth
The thermodynamic quality is an alternative quality denition based on an enthalpic balance:

hb − hl
xth := (2.8)
hg − hl

This denition can be applied only to single component multiphase mixtures.

The terms that appear in this equation are
ˆ The bulk enthalpy of the mixture hb which is the ratio of the enthalpy transported by the entire
owing mass and the mass ow rate:
Z
hρu dA
hb := ZS (2.9)
ρu dA
S

ˆ The enthalpy of the gaseous phase hg at saturation.

ˆ The enthalpy of the liquid phase hl at saturation.
This clearly implies that the denominator of equation (2.8) is the enthalpy of vaporization.
It is now trivial to evaluate that this denition respects the above mentioned enthalpic balance which is
presented in the following equation
hb = xth hg + (1 − xth )hl (2.10)
Following the bulk temperature Tb denition, in a recursive way, we could state that the bulk enthalpy
is the enthalpy level of the mixture at uniform temperature equal to the bulk temperature.

2.3.1 Thermodynamic quality and Mass quality

It is now important to explicitly evaluate the dierence between mass quality x and thermodynamic
quality xth beyond their mere denitions. In fact, the two quantities are equal only in case of thermo-
dynamic equilibrium.
Moreover, while the mass quality is clearly a value always between 0 and 1, the thermodynamic quality
may assume values lower than 0 (sub-cooled liquid) or higher than 1 (super-heated vapour).
A clear example of the physical dierence between the two is based on the analysis of what happens in
an evaporator for a single component mixture.
Considering that we have to achieve boiling inside the pipes we need to insert the heat from outside; as a
consequence we will reach boiling conditions only by slightly superheating the pipe surface. Bubbles will
then form at the beginning on the wall surface and from here they will detach and ow inside the pipe.
At the boiling onset section we will have the following temperature situation:
1. At the wall the uid temperature T (R) is higher than the saturation temperature.
2. Suddenly the temperature decreases to values lower than the saturation temperature.
3. At the center of the pipe, the temperature is signicantly below the saturation level.
First of all, we try to evaluate the thermodynamic quality of such a ow.
This causes the bulk temperature to be below the saturation temperature. As a consequence, the bulk
enthalpy will be lower than the saturated liquid temperature:
Tb < Tsat =⇒ hb < hl (2.11)
This implies that, following the denition given in equation (2.8), thermodynamic quality will be lower
than zero, a condition that can be found in an equivalent subcooled system with uniform temperature:
hb − hl
hb < hl =⇒ xth = <0 (2.12)
hg − hl

2
Therefore, for such a ow we could conclude that the thermodynamic quality, for the above metioned
reasons is lower than zero.
xth < 0 (2.13)
Let's now consider the mass quality of this ow. Obviously we will experience a gaseous mass ow that
will inevitably cause the Γg to be higher than zero:
Γg > 0 (2.14)
Therefore, following the denition given in equation (2.6) we can conclude that the mass quality of such
a system will be greater than zero:
Γg
x := =⇒ x > 0 (2.15)
Γ
We nally reached the conclusion we were looking for: now we can rmly conclude that, aside from the
denition, thermodynamic and mass quality are generally dierent, since they can assume dierent values
for the very same system at the same state:
xth 6= x (2.16)
The dierence lies in the fact that while the mass quality is based on the eective presence of gaseous
phase, the thermodynamic quality is based on the dierence between the bulk enthalpy and the saurated
liquid enthalpy. Being the rst a weighted average enthalpy that could neglect local bubble onset if the
rest of the uid is cold enough to balance this phenomenon on average, it is not uncommon to have the
presence of few bubbles with a bulk enthalpy lower than the saturated liquid enthalpy.

2.4 Volume ow rate Q

The volume ow rate of a single phase i is denoted with letter Qi and dened as
dVi
Qi := (2.17)
dt

The total volume ow rate Q is the result of the summation of the volume ow of each single phase.
Thus, we can write
M
(2.18)
X
Q= Qi
i=1

If we divide the previous equation by the total volume ow rate we get
M
Qi
(2.19)
X
1=
i=1
Q

Applying this result to two-phase systems gas/vapour-liquid we get the following expression
Q = Qg + Ql (2.20)
Repeating once again the division for the total volume ow rate we get
Qg Ql
1= + (2.21)
Q Q
This result directly leads to the next quantity we are going to introduce.

2.5 Volumetric quality xv

We dene the volumetric quality xv as the ratio of the gaseous phase volume ow rate and the total
volume ow rate:
Qg
xv := (2.22)
Q

3
It is the intensive property that expresses volume fractions in a multiphase mixture that is vapour/gaseous-
liquid.
For two-phases systems only, we can apply equation (2.21) and write
Ql
= 1 − xv (2.23)
Q
This quantity is usually known as volume fraction of the liquid or liquid cut.

2.5.1 Volumetric quality and Mass quality

As we did before, we try to nd a relation between the volumetric quality xv and the mass quality x.
We can evaluate this aspect by writing the volumetric quality as
Qg Qg 1
xv := = =
Ql
(2.24)
Q Qg + Ql
1+
Qg
If we consider that the volume ow rate of the phase i is the ratio between the mass ow rate and the
density of phase i
Γi
Qi = (2.25)
ρi
we can insert this result in equation (2.24) and write
1
xv =
Γl ρg
(2.26)
1+
ρl Γg
Now we can insert equations (2.6) and (2.7) to introduce the dependence from the mass quality x:
1 1
xv =
Γl ρg
= (2.27)
(1 − x)Γρg
1+ 1+
ρl Γg ρl xΓ
We can simplify the total mass ow rate Γ and write
1
xv = (2.28)
ρg (1 − x)
1+
ρl x
We could rearrange terms and write
1 ρg (1 − x)
=1+ (2.29)
xv ρl x
Which is equivalent to
1 − xv ρg (1 − x)
= (2.30)
xv ρl x
Since in general the density of the gas phase is far lower than the one of the liquid phase, we have that
the volumetric quality is far greater than the mass quality
ρg  ρl =⇒ xv  x (2.31)
This is consistent with the idea that a small mass fraction of gas can still occupy a large part of the pipe,
thanks to its high specic volue with respect to the liquid.
Usually, for a pure vapour-liquid mixture, the dierence between the density of the gaseous phase and
the one of the liquid phase decreases with increasing temperature and/or pressure. At the critical point,
nally, we reach the condition ρg = ρl and exclusively under these conditions the volumetric quality will
be equal to the mass quality.

SEE LECTURE NOTES FOR THE GRAPH OF xv VS x.

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2.6 Mass ux G
The mass ux G is dened a the ratio between the mass ow rate Γ and the area of the section normal
to the ow, Ω.
Γ
G := (2.32)
Ω
we can use equation (2.4) to get the following expression for the mass ux of a two-phase gas/vapour-liquid
mixture:
Γg Γl
G= + (2.33)
Ω Ω
It is important to pay attention to the fact that if we wanted to calculate the mass ux of the single
phases we couldn't in principle compute them as the ratio of the mass ow rate of the single phases and
the area of the whole surface crossed by the mixture
Γg

G 6=
 g

 Ω
(2.34)
Γl


Gl 6 =

Ω
The problem here is that the surface crossed by the single phases is not equal to the cross-section of the
total ow, since the rst occupy only a portion of the total cross-section area of the pipe.

2.7 Apparent mass ux G∗i

The apparent mass ux is dened as the ratio between the single phase mass ow rate Γi and the whole
cross-section area, referred to the surface crossed by the mixture. It is called apparent because we are
calculating it with a ctional area that is clearly not the real one.
Γi
G∗i := (2.35)
Ω
Here, each phase is thought as owing alone and therefore as a ow having to cross the total cross-section
Ω.

2.8 Volume ux J

The volume ux J is dened as the ratio between the volume ow rate Q and the area of the section
normal to the ow Ω.
Q
J := (2.36)
Ω
By means of a dimensional analysis we can immediately see how the volume ux is indeed nothing but a
velocity. Its numerator, indeed, has the dimension of a volume ow rate (m3 /s), while the denominator
is an area (m2 ). Thus, the volume ux will be expressed in m/s, or equivalent dimensional units.
We can consider this as the mixture velocity. As we previously did for the mass ux, we can split the
whole mixture volume ux J in its single-phase components. Considering a two-phase gas/vapour-liquid
mixture, we can use equation (2.20) and write
Qg Ql
J= + (2.37)
Ω Ω
We need to remember to pay attention to the fact that the two fractions do not represent the single
phases velocity, since they are referred to the right volume ow rate but to the wrong area, since the two
phases don't cross the whole area (a certain fraction of the mixture cross-section will always be occupied
by the other phase).

5
2.9 Supercial (apparent) velocity Ji
The supercial velocity Ji referred to the phase i is an apparent velocity that is dened as the ratio
between the single phase volume ow rate and the whole mixture cross-section area.
Qi
Ji := (2.38)
Ω

To evaluate this quantity in a local approach we can consider the denition of a local supercial
velocity ji which is dened as the ratio of the innitesimal volume ow rate of phase i with respect to
the innitesimal mixture cross-section area.
dQi
ji := (2.39)
dΩ

It is now the time to ask ourselves how the real velocity of the two phases is dened.

2.10 Actual velocity ui

The actual velocity ui of the phase i is dened as the ratio between a single phase volume ow rate and
the area of the cross-section referred to that specic phase. To apply this concept it is easier to think of
a stop-motion of the ow inside the pipe. We will surely have a certain volume ow rate at that instant
and considering a sort of picture of the cut section we could measure the area occupied by a single phase
Ωi .
With this idea in mind we can therefore procede with the above mentioned denition
Qi
ui := (2.40)
Ωi

By analyzing the relation between the actual velocity and the supercial velocity we notice that the only
dierence between the two is a factor proportional to the ratio between the whole mixture cross-section
area and the single phase one:
Ji Qi Ωi Ωi
= · = (2.41)
ui Ω Qi Ω
To evaluate this quantity in a local approach we can consider the denition of a local actual velocity
ui which is dened as the ratio between the innitesimal volume ow rate of phase i with respect to the
innitesimal single phase cross-section area.
dQi
ui := (2.42)
dΩi

In general this local quantity varies over the cross-section area.

2.11 Cross-section average void fraction α

The cross-section average void fraction α is dened as the ratio between the gaseous phase cross-section
area and the whole mixture cross-section area.
Ωg
α := (2.43)
Ω

The physical meaning of cross-section average void fraction is clear: it represents the fraction of the
channel cross-section area that is occupied by the gas phase.
As one may notice the average void fraction also corresponds to the proportionality factor that links the
supercial apparent velocity and the actual velocity, if we consider the gaseous phase, as expressed in
equation (2.41).

6
Simultaneously, for gas/vapour-liquid quantities we can dene the complementary-to-one quantity, which
is also known as liquid holdup:
Ωl
1−α= (2.44)
Ω
The physical meaning of the liquid holdup is as clear as the one for the average void fraction: it represents
the fraction of the channel cross-sectional area that is occupied by the liquid phase.
As one may notice the liquid holdup also corresponds to the proportionality factor that links the supercial
apparent velocity and the actual velocity, if we consider the liquid phase, as expressed in equation (2.41).
Switching to a local approach we can dene the local void fraction α using the relation between
supercial apparent velocity and the actual velocity of the gaseous phase expressed as previously reported
in equation (2.41), but in a local form, i.e. considering not the averaged quantities but the local ones in
equations (2.39) and (2.42). The denition that comes out of these expressions is

jg dQg dΩg dΩg

α := = · = (2.45)
ug dΩ dQg dΩ

While simultaneously the local liquid holdup can be dened as

jl jl dQl dΩl dΩl
1 − α := = = · = (2.46)
ul ug dΩ dQl dΩ

There is an important observation that must be highlighted. While generally the local void fraction α
changes over the cross-section surface of the pipe, i.e. α = α(φ, r), is interesting to introduce the situation
in which
α 6= α(φ, r) = constant on the cross-section surface (2.47)
in this case we say that the ow has uniform concentration, since the two phases are uniformly
distributed.
A relevant consequence of the previous expression is that local and global quantities are equal in a
uniformly concentrated ow.
α 6= α(φ, r) =⇒ α = α (2.48)
This situation is frequent in multiphase systems such as foams and emulsions among the others.

2.12 Local and average quantities

It is clear that while global (average) quantities are the result of an average on a cross-section area, hence
the overline signum, local variables are calculated after choosing an innitesimal surface and evaluating
properties and quantities on that surface. Thus, local quantities can vary on the cross-section surface,
while of course we can't state the same for global quantitites.

2.12.1 Local and average actual velocity

To express the above mentioned concept in a mathematical formulation, let's write an expression for the
innitesimal gas volume rate following the denition of local velocity given in equation (2.42).
dQg = ug dΩg (2.49)
We can easily express dΩg as suggested by the denition of local void fraction given in equation (2.45):
dΩg = αdΩ (2.50)
We can now integrate on the cross-section surface to get
Z
Qg = ug αdΩ (2.51)
Ω

7
Using the denition of average actual velocity given in equation (2.40) we can rewrite the left member of
the previous equation Z
ug Ωg = ug Ωα = ug αdΩ (2.52)
Ω
Now we can see in an explicit way the integral average that lies under the relation between local and
average actual velocity: Z
1
ug = ug αdΩ (2.53)
αΩ Ω
The average actual velocity is nothing but an integral average of the local velocity of the gas phase.

2.12.2 Local and average void fraction

We now want to recall the reasoning did for the relation between local and average actual velocity and
to express once again this concept in a mathematical formulation let's rst write an expression for the
portion of the innitesimal surface dΩ which is occupied by the gas phase dΩg using the local void fraction
denition given in equation (2.45):
dΩg = αdΩ (2.54)
By integrating this equation on the cross-section surface we get
Z
Ωg = αdΩ0 (2.55)
Ω

Finally, recalling the denition of average void fraction given in equation (2.43) we can write that
Z
Ωg = αΩ = αdΩ0 (2.56)
Ω

Rearranging term we can nally notice and prove that the cross-section average void fraction α is indeed
the surface integral average of the local void fraction α:
Z
1
α= αdΩ0 (2.57)
Ω Ω

2.13 Slip Ratio s and s

The slip ratio is dened, in its average formulation as
ug
s := (2.58)
ul

and in its local formulation as

ug
s := (2.59)
ul
It is a clear expression, in a global or local context respectively, of how much the gas phase actual
velocity is higher than the liquid phase actual velocity.
s < 1 −→ The gas phase is slower than the liquid phase







s = 1 −→ The gas phase is as fast as the liquid phase (2.60)





s > 1 −→ The gas phase is faster than the liquid phase


Let's see some examples to better evaluate the physical situation we are talking about.

8
 ˆ On the other hand we could experience the situation in which we have bubble crowding on the
surface of the pipe walls (typical situation occurring inside an evaporator). In this case the gas
phase, that will have to obey to the adherence condition at least for what concerns those bubbles
that are actually attached to the wall, will have a lower velocity with respect to the liquid phase.
In this situation, the gas phase is therefore slower than the liquid phase and the average slip ratio
will be lower than 1.
ug < ul ⇔ s < 1 (2.61)
ˆ If we consider the annular ow pattern, i.e. the ow pattern in which the gas phase circulates in
the middle of a circular pipe countoured by liquid phase which ows adherent to the pipe walls, it
is easy to prove that due to the liquid adherence condition at the wall radius, its average actual
velocity will be signicantly lower than the gas average velocity.
In such a context, therefore, the gas phase will be faster than the liquid phase and the average
slip ratio will be greater than 1.
ug > ul ⇔ s > 1 (2.62)

2.13.1 Models and approaches to the study of multiphase systems

There is, however, another situation that covers an important theoretical role and that will simplify many
multiphase systems related problems.
This is the situation that occurs when the liquid velocity is equal to the gas phase velocity. A typical
example may be the one referring to a gas-liquid ow composed of bubbles which are dispersed and simply
carried away inside the owing liquid phase.
Here it is possible to see a visual representation of such a situation.

Figura 1: Dispersed bubbles and a liquid ow generate the typical homogeneous ow (at least in good
approximation)

1. In this situation the average slip ratio will be equal to 1, and such a ow model is referred to
as a homogeneous ow model.
ug = ul ⇔ s = 1 ⇔ Homogeneous ow (2.63)
It is important to notice that the simple fact that the local velocity of the gas and the liquid phase
are equal while being necessary and sucient to state that the local slip ratio is equal to one, is not
enough to conclude that the average slip ratio is equal to one (or equivalently, that we are dealing
with a homogeneous ow).
A homogeneous ow model can be used as a simplifying assumptions and in that case we are
basically treating the multiphase ow as a single phase ow with equivalent properties that are
suitably derived from the two-phase system physical situation.
2. The rst model is opposed to the separated ow model, which basically considers the pipe as
split in two parts: one experiences the gas ow and the other one the liquid ow exclusively. This is
an approximate situation that actually never happens in reality but it is still a better approximation
than the homogeneous ow model in most of the cases. Interactions between the two ows must
be considered in this case.
3. A third more complicated model is the ow pattern model which consists of considering a certain
number of characteristic patterns to describe the multiphase system idealizing real ow patterns.

9
 This requires the knowledge of the best approximation represented by the most similar ow pattern
model to the real one.
We can introduce other constraints, corresponding to the situation in which nor the gas nor the liquid
phase local actual velocity change over the cross-section area and are equal:
ug = ul 6= u(φ, r) ⇔ Uniform ow (2.64)
In this case we have a at velocity prole over the whole cross-section area and we call such a ow a
uniform ow.
This situation typically occurs when dealing with strongly turbulent ows.

2.13.2 Relation between the void fraction α, the mass quality x, the volume quality xv and
the slip ratio s
We dened
ˆ A quantity that indicates the mass fraction in a multiphase system which is composed exclusively
of the vapour/gaseous phase: the mass quality x.
ˆ A quantity that indicates the volume fraction in a multiphase system which is composed exclusively
of the vapour/gaseous phase: the volumetric quality xv .
ˆ A quantity that indicates the fraction of the cross-section area which is occupied by the va-
pour/gaseous phase: the average void fraction α.
ˆ A quantity that indicates how many times the velocity of the gas phase is greater than the velocity
of the liquid phase: the average slip ratio s.
It seems obvious that these quantities should be interrelated.
Starting from the denition of void fraction given in equation (2.43) we can write
Ωg Ωg 1
α= = =
Ωl
(2.65)
Ω Ωg + Ω l
1+
Ωg

Now we can rewrite the denominator applying the denition of actual velocity of a phase ui given in
equation (2.40):
1 1
α=
Ω
=
Qu
(2.66)
l l g
1+ 1+
Ωg ul Qg
We can now apply the denition of average slip ratio s introduced in equation (2.58):
1 1 1
α=
Ql ug
=
Ql
=
Ql Q
(2.67)
1+ 1+s 1+s ·
ul Qg Qg Q Qg

We can nally apply the denition of volumetric quality xv as seen in equation (2.22):
1 1
α=
Ql Q
=
1 − xv
(2.68)
1+s · 1+s
Q Qg xv

We can then nally write the relation we were looking for:

1
α=
1 − xv
(2.69)
1+s·
xv

10
Or equivalently, introducing the mass quality x and its relation with volumetric quality equation (2.30):

1
α=
ρg 1 − xv
(2.70)
1+s· ·
ρl xv

These equations can be physically interpreted as follows:

ˆ If we increase the volumetric quality of a two-phase mixture maintaining the same slip ratio, we
end up with a greater average void fraction.
ˆ If we increase the mass quality at equal densities of a two-phase mixture maintaining the same slip
ratio, we end up with a greater average void fraction.
ˆ To an increase of void fraction and an equal average mass/volume quality must correspond a decrease
in the slip ratio: roughly speaking, if you don't have a relative increase of the presence of the gas
on the liquid phase but you experience an increase in the cross-section area occupied by the gas
phase, it must have decreased its velocity with respect to the liquid phase velocity.
ˆ To an increase of the average slip ratio with the same mass/volume quality must correspond a
decrease in the average void fraction: roughly speaking, if you don't have a relative increase of the
presence of the gas on the liquid phase but you experience an increase in the relative velocity of the
gas phase with respect to the liquid phase, it must now occupy a lower portion of the cross-section
area.
Taking equation (2.69) and expliciting the average slip ratio we get
1−α
s= α
1 − xv
(2.71)
xv
We can write the previous equation in the following equivalent form
1
−1
s= α
1
(2.72)
−1
xv

This basically implies 

s > 1 ⇔ α < x v






s = 1 ⇔ α = xv (2.73)






s < 1 ⇔ α > x
v

This result is somehow intuitive and can be explained, roughly speaking, as follows.
If I have a multiphase mixture in which the ratio indicating the relative volume ow of the gas over the
volume ow of the liquid is higher than the portion of cross-section area occupied by the gas phase, this
gaseous phase must ow faster than the liquid phase, i.e. the system will have a slip ratio greater than 1.
The very same reasoning can be applied for equation 2 and disequality 3 of the system (2.73).

2.14 Density of a mixture

We can dene the density of the multiphase mixture following various roads. However, before going into
the detail, we must clarify that the density of a mixture is of course a ctitious quantity, deriving either
from an energy balance or a momentum balance.

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2.14.1 Photographic density ρ∗
The photographic density ρ∗ is dened as the total mass which is present in the volume dened by the
cross-section area Ω and of thickness equal to dz .
dM
ρ∗ := (2.74)
Ωdz
For a two-phase vapour/gas-liquid mixture it can be expressed as
dMg + dMl ρg Ωg dz + ρl Ωl dz ρ g Ω g + ρ l Ωl
ρ∗ = = = (2.75)
Ωdz Ωdz Ω
Recalling the denition of average void fraction given in equation (2.43) we can write
ρ∗ = ρg α + ρl (1 − α) (2.76)
Now it's clear that the photographic density is nothing but a weighted average density where the
weight is the average void fraction.
Since there are often intermittent ow patterns, the photographic density is highly variable with time.

2.14.2 Bulk density ρb

The bulk density ρb is dened as the total mass ow rate divided by the total volumetric ow rate.
Γ
ρb := (2.77)
Q

For a two-phase vapour/gas-liquid mixture it can be expressed as

Γg + Γ l ρg Qg + ρl Ql
ρb = = (2.78)
Q Q
Recalling the denition of volumetric quality given in equation (2.22) we can write
ρb = ρg xv + ρl (1 − xv ) (2.79)
Now it's clear that the bulk density is nothing but a weighted average density where the weight is
the volumetric quality.
We could also dene the bulk specic volume as the inverse of the bulk density.
1
v b := (2.80)
ρb

2.14.3 Densities comparison and relations

The two densities above mentioned are clearly dierent and based on dierent approaches. It will be
important to understand and gather the ability to evaluate which one is the most suitable for a certain
kind of operation.
We can rewrite equations (2.76) and (2.79) to express some considerations about the two densities:
(
ρ∗ = ρl − (ρl − ρg )α
(2.81)
ρb = ρl − (ρl − ρg )xv
Basically we can state that the relation between the two depends on the relation between the average
void fraction and the volumetric quality. We know that the latter relation is governed by the slip ratio
value and therefore it regulates also the relation between photographic density and bulk density:



 s > 1 ⇔ α < xv ⇔ ρ∗ > ρb




s = 1 ⇔ α = xv ⇔ ρ∗ = ρb (2.82)





s < 1 ⇔ α > x ⇔ ρ ∗ < ρ

v b

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Generally, to calculate the bulk density we need the volumetric quality, i.e. the mass quality and the
densities of the two phases. For evaporating or condensing conditions of pure uids (such as water), it
is particularly easy to perform such a calculation: density of the two phases can be derived from steam
tables or equivalent tables, while the mass quality will be equal to the thermodynamic quality since we
will be at equilibrium (if we don't consider the particular arising boiling situation) and we'll be able to
know the mass quality thanks to enthalpy derived again from steam tables. The only information we
need is either the temperature or the pressure.

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