Mechanism and effects of predominant parameters regarding limitation of falling water in vertical countercurrent two-phase flow

In this study, an investigation was carried out to clarify the mechanism of countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) or flooding, that is, limitations in the falling water mass flux in countercurrent two-phase flow in vertical channels, and to identify the effects of predominant parameters regarding CCFL, adopting the criterion that,the CCFL condition be given by an envelope of momentum equation applied for the entire length of the channel with respect to any void fraction. As a result, it was found that the analytical model proposed could adequately predict all existing experimental results investigated in this study. In the channel configuration, circular, rectangular and annular or planar channels, channel dimensions of diameter, gap size, width or circumference, and length, interfacial and wall friction, water injection mode, and inlet water subcooling were dominant parameters. Therefore, both the mechanism and the quantitative effects of CCFL have been identified.