Flooding and upward film flow in vertical tubes—II. Speculations on film flow mechanisms

Abstract Three mechanisms for flooding are suggested: (a) switching takes place between multiple stable states of the system, some of which cause upflow, (b) the system velocities exceed the propagation velocity of a kinematic wave and (c) entrainment carries liquid above the feed even with the liquid film flowing downward. The mechanism which is applicable in any case is the first one to come into effect as the gas rate is increased. The idea of switching is also suggested as an explanation for the behavior of upward flowing films just above the flooding condition.