Stratified Flow

Project: Thermopedia

Article: Stratified Gas-Liquid Flow

Topics: Interfaces, Multiphase flows

Two-phase (gas and liquid) flow in a pipe for which the two phases are separated from each other by a continuous interface, is referred to as stratified flow. Such a flow is dominated by the gravity force which causes the liquid to stratify at the bottom of the pipe. This flow pattern can be observed in horizontal or slightly inclined pipelines. It is characterized by the structure of the interface which may be smooth or wavy according to the gas flow rate.