Visualization and measurement of two-phase flows in horizontal pipelines

Identifier:  imarina:5923587

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5923587

Authors:  Sassi, Paolo; Pallares, Jordi; Stiriba, Youssef

Abstract:
Understanding the dynamics of gas-liquid two-phase flows (G/L), is crucial to predict the transport efficiency of the mixture and the energy needed for pumping. In addition, many industrial processes are governed by momentum, heat, and mass transfer phenomena between the phases. Many examples can be found in the different stages of refinement up to the production of petroleum products, biomass transport, chemical reactors, nuclear waste decommissioning, pulp, and paper production, among many others. In this study, an experimental facility designed to analyze G/L mixture is presented and discussed. The experimental results are presented for gas-liquid flows in horizontal 30 mm ID pipelines. The mixture involved is composed of air and water. The superficial velocity of the liquid phase is in the range of 0–2 m/s and the gas phase from 0 to 2 m/s. The experimental data accounts for pressure loss, hold-up, superficial velocities, and flow regimes. A flow map is presented covering the specified ranges, and two-phase correlations for hold-up and frictional pressure loss are reported and compared with the available experimental data.