Multiphase flow regimes

Multiphase flow regime is a term popularly used in multiphase flow studies to classify the different flow patterns, which occur during multiphase flow through pipes [5]. The complex interaction between the phases often result to a distri-bution of the gas and liquid in the pipe in such a pattern that is observable and

can be represented using a flow map known as flow regime map. In generating the flow regime map, a good number of investigation is carried out to determine the dependency of flow patterns on the volume fraction of the components of the multiphase flow [17]. Although multiphase flow regimes can be studied for two-phase gas-liquid flows and for three-phase oil-water-gas flows, this review will focus mainly on the two-phase gas-liquid flow.

One of the limitation of flow regime maps is that they are only relevant to the system (pipeline dimension, operating condition and fluid type) applied in gen-erating it [13]. This implies that no one flow regime can be applied to interpret flow pattern in all flow systems. Previous works such as that by Schicht [87], Weisman and Kang [115], which was aimed at generalising flow regime map coordinates has not been successful because the transition in most flow regime maps and the corresponding instabilities depend on different properties of the fluid.

The flow pattern predominant in a vertical pipeline vary from that of the hori-zontal pipeline [115]. For example, while a stratified flow pattern observed in the horizontal pipe flow is not observed in the vertical pipe flow, the churn flow observed in the vertical pipe flow is not observed in the horizontal pipe flow.

Thus, the flow regime in the vertical and horizontal pipe are discussed.

2.2.1.1 Multiphase two-phase gas-liquid flow regimes in horizontal pipe

The flow patterns generated during multiphase flow through horizontal pipes has been studies in reasonable details over the years. One of the earliest study on flow regime in horizontal pipes was reported by Baker [5] and Hoogen-doorn [45]. Recently, a number of other studies on two-phase gas-liquid

hor-izontal pipe flow regimes have been reported [2, 35, 64, 108, 107, 113]. Fig-ure 2.2 shows a typical flow regime map obtained through experimental stud-ies on a 2.5cm diameter pipe, which was reported by Taitel et al [107]. From

Stratified smooth Stratified wavy Wavy annular Annular. Ann/dispersed Slug

Elongated bubble Dispersed bubble

Figure 2.2: Two-phase gas-liquid flow regime, [107]

this flow regime map, the typical flow regimes prevalent in the two-phase gas-liquid horizontal flow can be classified as shown in Figure 2.3. Weisman [114],

Two-phase horizontal flow

Stratified Intermittent Annular Dispersed

bubble

Smooth Wavy Plug Slug Dispersed Wavy

Figure 2.3: Hierarchial diagram showing flow regime in two-phase flow

provided a pictorial representation of the two-phase flow patterns, which is ob-tained from a 5.1cm diameter horizontal pipe. This pictorial representation is shown in Figure 2.4.

In the stratified flow condition, the liquid flows at the bottom of the liquid while the gas is at the top of the liquid. The interface of between the liquid and the gas can be smooth or wavy [53]. In the intermittent flow pattern, the liquid body,

Figure 2.4: Flow pattern for two-phase gas-liquid flow, [114]

which fill the pipe are usually separated by gas pockets, which at the bottom of the pipe, contains a stratified liquid layer flowing along the gas pocket. The in-termittent slow pattern is usually divided into slug and elongated bubble (plug) flow patterns. In the annular flow pattern, the liquid in the pipe flows as a film around the wall of the pipe. This type of flow pattern is often observed under high gas flow velocity. The gas, which may contain some liquid droplets flows through the core center and it is surrounded by the liquid film. The wavy annular flow pattern is observed during the transition from slug flow to the annular flow.

In the dispersed bubble flow, the gas phase flows as a distributed discrete bub-bles within the liquid body, which is continuous. Detailed description of these flow patterns can be found the literature [61, 62, 106].

Taitel and Dukler [108] developed a model for predicting flow regime transition in

horizontal and nearly horizontal pipe with two-phase gas-liquid flow. In a later work by Taitel et al [107], the model result was compared with experimental results and good agreement between the two was concluded. A model for predicting pressure distribution for two-phase flow through inclined, vertical and curved pipes was also developed by Gould et al [34].

Further studies has also been carried out on the effect of pipeline inclination on flow regime of two-phase flow in horizontal pipes [8, 11, 34, 36, 93, 107].

The work by Taitel et al [107] reported the effect of pipe inclination on the flow regime map. They showed that small deviation (inclination) from the horizontal have significant effect on the flow regime map. The effect of pipe inclination on the liquid holdup and the pressure loss across the pipe was investigated by Beggs and Brill [8]. Gould et al [34] also reported flow pattern maps for horizontal and vertical flows with pipe inclination for upflow at 45^o.

2.2.1.2 Multiphase two-phase flow regimes in vertical pipe

The flow regimes identified in vertical pipelines are often different from that of the horizontal pipeline [115]. The challenge of the lack of a universal flow regime map for interpreting two-phase flow in the vertical pipes still exist. This is due to the significant effect of phase properties and the pipe diameters on multiphase flow regimes [96]. Despite these limitations, the main types of flow regimes, which are identified in the vertical pipeline include the bubbly flow, the slug flow, the churn flow and the annular flow [66]. Figure 2.5 shows typical flow patterns and the flow regime map obtained from a 72mm diameter vertical pipe, reported by Guet and Ooms [38].

The modeling and experimental work to predict and describe these flow regimes

Figure 2.5: Flow pattern for two-phase gas-liquid vertical flow, [38]

can be found in many literatures [66, 68, 73, 96, 105, 115]. The bubble flow rep-resents a flow pattern in which the gas phase flows as a small discrete bubbles in a continuous liquid phase [115]. The slug flow pattern occur due to the co-alescence of the gas bubbles at increased gas flowrate, which results to bullet type gas pocket, known as Taylor bubbles [96]. The Taylor bubble is usually separated by liquid slug, which often contain some gas bubbles in the liquid body. The diameter of the Taylor bubble often correspond to the diameter of the pipe, but the Taylor bubble is usually surrounded by a thin of liquid film, which flows vertically downwards. The churn flow is formed due to the break up of Taylor bubble into the liquid body as the gas flowrate increases [52]. The churn flow is predominantly a disorderly flow regime, in which the liquid is observed to flow vertically upwards in an oscillatory motion. The annular flow regime oc-curs when the gas flowrate is further increased such that the gas flows in the core of the pipe and the liquid flows around the pipe walls [66]. The gas flowing through the pipe core can also carry liquid droplets, which are dispersed in it.