SPE Journal
Volume 16, Number 3, September 2011, pp. 692-697

SPE-148330-PA

A Model for Wetted-Wall Fraction and Gravity Center of Liquid Film in Gas/Liquid Pipe Flow

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DOI  More information 10.2118/148330-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/148330-PA

Citation

  • Zhang, H.-Q. and Sarica, C. 2011. A Model for Wetted-Wall Fraction and Gravity Center of Liquid Film in Gas/Liquid Pipe Flow. SPE J.  16 (3): 692-697. SPE-148330-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/148330-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 6.3.2 Multi-phase Flow

Keywords

  • Stratified flow; Annular flow; Wetted wall fraction; Gravity center; Flow pattern transition; Froude number.

Summary

The model presented in this study unifies the predictions of liquid wetted-wall fraction, film gravity center, and flow-pattern transition between stratified and annular flows. It is based on the instability of the liquid film in an equilibrium stratified flow proposed by Taitel and Dukler (1976) for flow-pattern transition prediction from stratified flow to nonstratified flows. The geometrical relationship between the wetted-wall fraction and the gravity center of the liquid film is established based on the double-circle model proposed by Chen et al. (1997), and is further simplified with explicit approximation. The predictions of the present model are compared and agree well with experimental wetted-wall-fraction measurements and flow-pattern observations from different authors.

© 2011. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 7 July 2009
  • Revised manuscript received: 26 February 2011
  • Manuscript approved: 4 March 2011
  • Published online: 16 June 2011
  • Version of record: 15 September 2011