Lockhart–Martinelli parameter

The Lockhart–Martinelli parameter ($\chi$) 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 was first used by R. W. Lockhart and R. C. Martinelli in 1949.

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;
• $m_{g}$ is the gas phase mass flowrate;
• $\rho _{g}$ is the gas density;
• $\rho _{\ell }$ is the liquid density.

See also

• Wet gas