Horizontal stratifying /annular gas-liquid flow
File(s)
Author(s)
Badie, Shahrokh
Type
Thesis or dissertation
Abstract
This thesis describes experimental and theoretical investigations of horizontal two- phase gas-liquid flows with low liquid content. These conditions are typical of flows experienced in gas condensate lines. All experiments were performed on the WASP high, pressure facility at Imperial College, London. The test section of the WASP facility is a stainless steel pipe, 37 m in length and 0.078 m in diameter.
Seven series of experiments were planned and carried out to measure and record flow behaviour in the low liquid loading region. Many flow parameters were measured, including pressure gradient and holdup. Furthermore', the flow was observed and recorded axially using a novel piece of equipment designed and built ‘in-house’ - the In-Line Axial View System.
Experimental investigations show that the presence of a small amount of liquid has a significant effect on the pressure gradient, and hence the required driving force, compared to single-phase gas flows. Axial images show that the bulk of the liquid travels in the film at the bottom of the pipe; however, a significant portion is entrained as droplets within the gas core. A significant entrainment process was captured in axial view using a high speed video recording system. Waves on the liquid layer were observed to converge and break up into rapidly moving spray droplets. This process was found to be random, but more frequent with increase in gas or liquid velocities.
A new analysis is proposed to identify important factors in predicting pressure gradient in two-phase gas-liquid flows. This analysis makes use of a number of experimental findings and is able to capture the effect of liquid viscosity, producing reasonable pressure gradient estimates for both air-water and air-oil flows.
Seven series of experiments were planned and carried out to measure and record flow behaviour in the low liquid loading region. Many flow parameters were measured, including pressure gradient and holdup. Furthermore', the flow was observed and recorded axially using a novel piece of equipment designed and built ‘in-house’ - the In-Line Axial View System.
Experimental investigations show that the presence of a small amount of liquid has a significant effect on the pressure gradient, and hence the required driving force, compared to single-phase gas flows. Axial images show that the bulk of the liquid travels in the film at the bottom of the pipe; however, a significant portion is entrained as droplets within the gas core. A significant entrainment process was captured in axial view using a high speed video recording system. Waves on the liquid layer were observed to converge and break up into rapidly moving spray droplets. This process was found to be random, but more frequent with increase in gas or liquid velocities.
A new analysis is proposed to identify important factors in predicting pressure gradient in two-phase gas-liquid flows. This analysis makes use of a number of experimental findings and is able to capture the effect of liquid viscosity, producing reasonable pressure gradient estimates for both air-water and air-oil flows.
Version
Open Access
Online Publication Date
2024-11-06T10:03:52Z
Date Awarded
2000-02
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives Licence
Advisor
Hewitt, Professor G. F.
Lawrence, Doctor C. J.
Sponsor
WASP Consortium
Publisher Department
Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology.
Publisher Institution
University of London - Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)