Lockhart–Martinelli parameter explained

The Lockhart–Martinelli parameter (

\chi ) is a dimensionless number used in internal two-phase flow calculations.^[1] 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 = (m _{\ell})/(\sqrt{ m _{g}) (\rho _{g})/(\rho _{\ell}) },

where

m _{\ell} is the liquid phase mass flowrate;

m _{g} is the gas phase mass flowrate;

\rho _{g} is the gas density;

\rho _{\ell} is the liquid density.

See also

• Wet gas

Notes and References

1. Lockhart, R.W., Martinelli, R.C.; Chem. Eng. Prog., Vol. 45. 1949, pp. 39–48