The study of the flow patterns and the analysis of the void fraction correlations revealed that the correlations based on the concept of drift flux model are the most suitable to predict the void fraction in vertical upward and downward two phase flow.
They owe this ability to the physical structure of this model and the ability to change the model variables, i.e. the distribution parameter and the drift velocity with respect to the flow patterns and the void fraction.
Here we present the requirements for an ideal void fraction correlation for vertical upward and downward two phase flow.
In the bubbly flow regime, the gas phase is dispersed in the continuous liquid phase and the flow pattern is symmetrical about the pipe axis and hence as proposed by Zuber and Findlay [36] the distribution parameter should assume a value of 1.2.
However, with the increasing flow rates as the flow pattern transits to the annular flow regime there is seldom any coupling between the two phases and can be regarded as separated two phase flow.
In this case gas phase flows through the pipe core and is surrounded by the liquid phase and hence the distribution parameter that dictates the cross sectional distribution of the void fraction should approach a value close to unity.
This variation of the distribution parameter with respect to the flow patterns is applicable for both upward and downward two phase flow