Wavy-to-slug flow transition in slightly inclined gas-liquid pipe flow

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · AIChE Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690420402· OSTI ID:218620

Grolman, E; Commandeur, N C.J.; Baat, E.C. de; Fortuin, J M.H. ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Amsterdam (Netherlands). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

A process-engineering model is presented for the stratified-wavy-to-intermittent (SW-I) flow-pattern transition in slightly inclined gas-liquid pipe flow. The main parameter for predicting (in)stability of wavy flow in inclined pipes is the average liquid holdup, which was found to reach a maximum, critical value at flow-pattern transition. Observed values of the critical liquid holdup vary between 0.07 and 0.42, depending on pipe diameter, angle of inclination and transport properties of the gas-liquid system. Measurements were performed in transparent glass pipes of 26- and 51-mm dia., at ten angles of inclination (0.1{degree} {le} {beta} {le} 6.0{degree}), using air/water and air/tetradecane (n-C{sub 14}H{sub 30}) systems at atmospheric pressure. Flow-pattern maps are presented for selected angles of inclination, showing excellent agreement between predicted and observed flow-pattern boundaries.

• OSTI ID: 218620
• Journal Information: AIChE Journal, Journal Name: AIChE Journal Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 42; ISSN 0001-1541; ISSN AICEAC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
FLOW MODELS
FLOW VISUALIZATION
GAS FLOW
INCLINATION
LIQUID FLOW
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PIPELINES
STRATIFICATION
TWO-PHASE FLOW