Investigation of Flow Regime Transitions in Large-Diameter Inclined Pipes

doi:10.1115/1.2795074

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Investigation of Flow Regime Transitions in Large-Diameter Inclined Pipes

Journal Article•DOI•

Investigation of Flow Regime Transitions in Large-Diameter Inclined Pipes

Ji Yong Cai¹, M. Gopal¹, W. P. Jepson¹•Institutions (1)

01 Jun 1999-Journal of Energy Resources Technology-transactions of The Asme (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)-Vol. 121, Iss: 2, pp 91-95

TL;DR: In this paper, a multiphase oil/water/gas flow regime transition studies are carried out in a lO-cm i.d., I8m long pipe at inclinations of 2 deg at system pressures between 0 to 0.79 MPa.

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Abstract: Multiphase oil/water/gas flow regime transition studies are carried out in a lO-cm i.d., I8-m long pipe at inclinations of ::t2 deg at system pressures between 0 to 0.79 MPa. The results are compared to those of other researchers, and the effects of pressure, inclination, and liquid viscosity are shown. The water cut of the liquid has some effects on the transition from stratified to slug flow. Increasing the water ~ut results in the transition occurring at higher liquid velocity at the same gas velocIty. Water cut has little effect on the slug/annular transition for low viscosity oil used. The system pressure has a moderate effect on the transition from stratified to slug and slug to annular. For the transition from stratified to slug, increasing the system pressure requires higher liquid velocity. The transition from slug to 'annular occurs at lower liquid velocity with increasing the system pressures. The inclination of the pipe has little effect on the transition from slug to annular flow. Increasing the inclination causes the transition to occur at approximately the same gas velocity at the same liquid velocity. The experimental results show a good agreement with Wilkens' model.

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Journal Article•DOI•

Experimental Study of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow for High Velocity in Inclined Medium Size Tube and Verification of Pressure Calculation Methods

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Wei Luo, Yong Li, Qinghua Wang, Junliang Li, Ruiquan Liao, Zilong Liu - Show less +2 more

30 Sep 2016-International Journal of Heat and Technology

TL;DR: In this paper, the applicability conditions of the existing pressure calculation methods were obtained and they provided the guidance for the selection of the inclined multiphase pipe flow calculation methods under the condition of middle and high production rates.

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Abstract: In view of the limited conditions of the previous inclined multiphase pipe flow experiments (diameter and flow) with no reliable adaptability of multiphase pipe flow calculation method which is obtained from this experimental conditions when the using conditions are beyond the scope of the experiment (such as a middle to large diameter and large flow), the gas-liquid two-phase flow experiment was carried out using air and water as the medium with different inclined angles 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90° in this paper. The analysis of variation of liquid holdup and pressure drop with different gas and liquid quantities and inclination angles was obtained. The calculation method applicability of liquid holdup and pressure drop were verified and selected from the experimental data, and the error variation law of the calculation methods were analysed. The applicability of the calculation method was compared with its applicability to liquid holdup and pressure drop as verified by the field test data. According to the analysis of the comparative results, the applicability conditions of the existing pressure calculation methods were obtained and they provided the guidance for the selection of the inclined multiphase pipe flow calculation methods under the condition of middle and high production rates.

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14 citations

Cites methods from "Investigation of Flow Regime Transi..."

...[14] carried out an oil gas water three-phase flow study using a 100mm diameter pipe which also used a small angle....
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Journal Article•DOI•

Hydrodynamics of three phase flow in upstream pipes

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Laura Edwards¹, Darryan Dhanpat¹, Dhurjati Prasad Chakrabarti¹•Institutions (1)

University of the West Indies¹

28 Feb 2018-Cogent engineering

TL;DR: In this article, work done by several researchers with respect to predictive models, three phase flow regimes and methods of identifying flow regimes were reviewed and the effects of water c... and water effects on the three phases of flow were discussed.

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Abstract: In this article, work done by several researchers with respect to predictive models, three phase flow regimes and methods of identifying flow regimes were reviewed. Additionally, effects of water c...

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7 citations

Cites background or methods from "Investigation of Flow Regime Transi..."

...Cai, Gopal, and Jepson (1999) investigated flow pattern transitions of gas, oil and water flowing through an inclined pipe....
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...Carbon dioxide gas was used, in addition to a 2 cP viscosity oil at a temperature of 40°C. Cai et al. (1999) found that the pipe inclination had no significant impact on slug-annular transition in pipes of large diameter....
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Journal Article•

Corrosion Under Wet Gas Conditions

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Yuhua Sun, William Paul Jepson¹, Tao Hong¹•Institutions (1)

Ohio University¹

11 Mar 2001-Corrosion

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured CO2 wet gas corrosion rates at the top and bottom of a high pressure 10-cm diameter system under different pressures up to 1.82MPa at a temperature of 40°C.

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Abstract: CO2 wet gas corrosion rates at the top and bottom of a high pressure 10-cm diameter system have been measured under different pressures up to 1.82MPa at a temperature of 40°C. The flow patterns at test conditions are determined at gas velocities up to 1 lm/s and liquid velocities up to 0.2m/s. The liquid was de-ionized water and carbon dioxide was used as the gas phase. The flow patterns at test conditions are annular flow or near the stratified-annular flow transition zone. The corrosion rate becomes stable after 3 hours. It was found that the corrosion rate increases with the increase in gas velocity, liquid velocity, and CO2 partial pressure.

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7 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Experimental investigation of upward vertical two-phase high-velocity flows in large-diameter pipes

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Matheus S. Capovilla¹, Renato Peixoto Coutinho¹, Pedro Cavalcanti de Sousa², Paulo J. Waltrich¹•Institutions (2)

Louisiana State University¹, Texas A&M University²

01 Apr 2019-Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

TL;DR: In this article, the effect of the diameter and high fluid velocities on two-phase flow in vertical large-diameter pipes was analyzed for conditions which slug flow would be expected in smaller diameter pipes.

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3 citations

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Journal Article•DOI•

A model for predicting flow regime transitions in horizontal and near horizontal gas-liquid flow

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Yemada Taitel¹, A. E. Dukler¹•Institutions (1)

University of Houston¹

01 Jan 1976-Aiche Journal

TL;DR: In this article, a generalized flow regime map based on this theory is presented, which is used for determining flow regime transitions in two-phase gas-liquid flow, and the mechanisms for transition are based on physical concepts and are fully predictive.

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Abstract: Models are presented for determining flow regime transitions in two-phase gas-liquid flow. The mechanisms for transition are based on physical concepts and are fully predictive in that no flow regime transitions are used in their development. A generalized flow regime map based on this theory is presented.

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2,420 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Effect of pipe diameter on flow patterns for air-water flow in horizontal pipes

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P.Y. Lin¹, Thomas J. Hanratty¹•Institutions (1)

University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign¹

01 Jul 1987-International Journal of Multiphase Flow

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a nonlinear mechanism associated with the coalescence of roll waves for the initiation of slugs in the annular flow regime and determined that slugs start at much lower liquid flows than had been reported by previous investigators.

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137 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

An experimental study of two-phase flow in slightly inclined pipes—I. Flow patterns

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Sunil Kokal, J.F. Stanislav¹•Institutions (1)

University of Calgary¹

01 Jan 1989-Chemical Engineering Science

TL;DR: In this article, a series of oil-air two-phase flow experiments were conducted with a 25 m long acrylic pipe installed on an inclinable trestle with three different pipe diameters (25.8, 51.2 and 76.3 mm) at seven angles (0, ± 1, ± 5 and ± 9°).

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64 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Modelling the transition to slug flow in horizontal conduit

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W. P. Jepson¹•Institutions (1)

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority¹

01 Oct 1989-Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering

TL;DR: In this article, a physical model for the prediction of transition to slug flow is presented, which assumes that the slug is formed as a result of a hydraulic jump which is sufficient to just touch the top wall of the conduit.

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Abstract: A physical model for the prediction of transition to slug flow is presented. The model assumes that the slug is formed as a result of a hydraulic jump which is sufficient to just touch the top wall of the conduit. This, together with a ‘breaking dam’ assumption at the rear of the slug, gives necessary and sufficient conditions for the formation of a stable slug. The minimum liquid film thickness ahead of the slug, degree of aeration within the slug and slug translational velocity are predicted. The predictions agree very well with those of previous workers and with experimental data. On presente un modele physique pour la prediction de la transition a l'ecoulement piston. Le modele suppose que le bouchon se forme a la suite d'un saut hydraulique juste suffisant pour toucher la paroi superieure du conduit. Cette hypothese, jointe a une hypothese de «barrage de rupture» a l'arriere du bouchon, fournit les conditions conduisant a la formation d'un bouchon stable. On donne les predictions pour l'epaisseur minimale du film liquide en avant du bouchon, le degre d'aeration a l'interieur du bouchon ainsi que la vitesse de transition du bouchon. Ces predictions montrent un tres bon accord avec les travaux anterieurs et les donnees experimentales.

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27 citations

"Investigation of Flow Regime Transi..." refers background in this paper

...This approach stems from the ideas expressed by Jepson (1989). Wilkens (1997) also developed ideas for predicting the transition from slug to annular flow. Previous researchers have demonstrated the presence of secondary flows, wave spreading, droplet deposition, etc., in describing annular flow. The basis for this slug to annular transition' model is the coexistence of annular and slug flows. The model also incorporated other criteria, such as a maximum film Froude number, maximum slug body void fraction, and the liquid holdup in the slug becoming equal to the liquid area in the film region. In addition to these, a criteria was developed based on the minimization of pressure drop. Neogi et al. (1994) noted that in both annular flow and slug flow, the oil and water are completely mixed. For this reason, the equation for two-phase flow can be used here as well. Lin (1985) suggested that annular flow can be reached when the film was spread completely around the pipe....
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...This approach stems from the ideas expressed by Jepson (1989). Wilkens (1997) also developed ideas for predicting the transition from slug to annular flow. Previous researchers have demonstrated the presence of secondary flows, wave spreading, droplet deposition, etc., in describing annular flow. The basis for this slug to annular transition' model is the coexistence of annular and slug flows. The model also incorporated other criteria, such as a maximum film Froude number, maximum slug body void fraction, and the liquid holdup in the slug becoming equal to the liquid area in the film region. In addition to these, a criteria was developed based on the minimization of pressure drop. Neogi et al. (1994) noted that in both annular flow and slug flow, the oil and water are completely mixed....
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...This approach stems from the ideas expressed by Jepson (1989). Wilkens (1997) also developed ideas for predicting the transition from slug to annular flow....
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Prediction of the flow regime transitions in high pressure, large diameter, inclined multiphase pipelines

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R.J. Wilkens¹•Institutions (1)

Ohio University¹

01 Jan 1997

Abstract: WILKENS~ ROBERT, JOSEPH. Ph.D. June 1997 Chemical Engineering Prediction of the Flow Regime Transitions in High Pressure, Large Diameter, Inclined Multiphase Pipelines Director of Dissertation: W. Paul Jepson In multiphase flows, flow regime determination has many design applications such as boiler tubes and oil and gas pipelines. This study focuses on the oil production from older wells in which brine and carbon dioxide gas are commonly present in the pipelines. Often these oil~ water, and gas mixtures create a highly corrosive environment for typical carbon steel pipelines. Since the highest corrosion rate occurs in slug flow, the ability to predict this flow regime becomes of great importance. The transitions from stratified to slug and from slug to annular flow are not well understood. Further, little data is available for flows in large diameter, multiphase pipes which include the effects of pressure and inclination. For this purpose, oil/water/gas tests were conducted in a 9.72-cm diameter, 18-m long pipe at inclinations of 0, ±2, and ±5° and pressures of 0.27, 0.45, and 0.79 MPa. The ratio of the translational velocity to the superficial mixture velocity was found to be about 2.0 for plug flow, 1.2 for slug flow, and 0.5 1.2 for pseudo-slug flow. The film Froude number in slug flow was found to increase with increasing gas flow rate to a value of about 18. The value then dropped as pseudo-slug flow was achieved. It again increased with gas flow rate until it reached a value of about 16, then annular flow ensued.

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20 citations

"Investigation of Flow Regime Transi..." refers background or methods or result in this paper

...The Wilkens (1997) model, however, adequately predicts the transition line in all cases. The Taitel-Dukler (1976) model poorly predicts this transition from slug to annular flow....
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...Figure 14 illustrates the 'comparison between the experimental results and Wilkens' model (1997) and Taitel-Dukler's model (1976) at the conditions of water cut 100 percent, system pressure 0.13 MPa, and pipe inclination -2 deg. At low gas flow rates (less than 3 mI s), both models predict the transition reasonably well. Above a superficial gas velocity of 3 mis, Taitel-Dukler's model (1976) significantly underpredicts the transition line....
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...Figure 14 illustrates the 'comparison between the experimental results and Wilkens' model (1997) and Taitel-Dukler's model (1976) at the conditions of water cut 100 percent, system pressure 0....
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...The Wilkens (1997) model, however, adequately predicts the transition line in all cases. The Taitel-Dukler (1976) model poorly predicts this transition from slug to annular flow. This is a well-known limitation of the Taitel-Dukler model (1976). The Wilkens (1997) model compares with the experimental results very well....
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...The Wilkens (1997) model, however, adequately predicts the transition line in all cases. The Taitel-Dukler (1976) model poorly predicts this transition from slug to annular flow. This is a well-known limitation of the Taitel-Dukler model (1976). The Wilkens (1997) model compares with the experimental results very well. Figure 15 shows the comparison between the experiments and the results predicted by Taitel-Dukler's model and Wilkens' model at the conditions of 50 percent water cut, 0.13 MPa, and - 2 deg inclination. The experiments compare with the results predicted by both models at low gas rates. Above a gas flow rate 3 mis, the experiments deviate from the results predicted by the Taitel-Dukler (1976) model. For example, stratified-slug transition is predicted at a superficial liquid velocity as low as 0.23 mI s at a superficial velocity of 7 mI s. The Wilkens ( 1997) model, however, predicts the transition reasonably. For the transition from slug to annular flow, the experiments compare well wit~ the results predicted by the Wilkens (1997) model, and deViate from that predicted by the Taitel-Dukler model (1976)....
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