Investigation and prediction of slug flow characteristics in highly viscous liquid and gas flows in horizontal pipes

• Published in: Chemical engineering research & design Vol. 102; pp. 124 - 137
• Main Authors: Zhao, Y., Lao, L., Yeung, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2015
• Subjects: Gas-liquid flow; High viscosity; Horizontal pipe; Mechanistic model; Slug flow; Mechanistic model; Horizontal pipe; High viscosity; Slug flow; Gas-liquid flow
• ISSN: 0263-8762
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2015.06.002

•The paper reveals slug characteristics in highly viscous liquid/gas flow.•A mechanistic model for slug flow in a large viscosity range liquids is developed.•The good performance is verified against available data obtained from literature.•Closure equations for developing slug model in viscous liquids are suggested. Slug flow characteristics in highly viscous liquid and gas flow are studied experimentally in a horizontal pipe with 0.074m ID and 17m length. Results of flow regime map, liquid holdup and pressure gradient are discussed and liquid viscosity effects are investigated. Applicable correlations which are developed to predict liquid holdup in slug body for low viscosity flow are assessed with high viscosity liquids. Furthermore, a mechanistic model is developed for predicting the characteristics of slug flows of highly viscous liquid in horizontal pipes. A control volume is drawn around the slug body and slug film in a slug unit. Momentum equations with a momentum source term representing the significant momentum exchange between film zone and slug body are applied. Liquid viscosity effects are considered in closure relations. The mechanistic model is validated by comparing available pressure gradient and mean slug liquid holdup data produced in the present study and those obtained from literature, showing satisfactory capabilities over a large range of liquid viscosity.