High viscosity effects on characteristics of oil and gas two-phase flow in horizontal pipes

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 95; pp. 343 - 352
• Main Authors: Zhao, Y., Yeung, H., Zorgani, E.E., Archibong, A.E., Lao, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2013
• Subjects: capacitance; Chemical engineering; Flow characteristics; Flow pattern map; Gas flow; Horizontal; Liquid holdup; Liquid viscosity effect; Liquids; Liquid–gas flow; Natural gas; oils; Pipe; pipes; Pressure drop; Slug flow; tomography; Viscosity; Flow pattern map; Liquid–gas flow; Pressure drop; Liquid holdup; Slug flow; Liquid viscosity effect
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2013.03.004

The flow characteristics of high viscosity oil and gas flow show several significant differences with those of low viscosity liquid. Effects of high viscosity oil on characteristics of oil and gas flow are identified. The present experiments are performed on the flow facility which consists of a test section of 26mm ID and a 5.5m long horizontal pipe. A range of liquid viscosity from 1000cP to 7500cP is investigated. The superficial oil and gas velocities vary from 0.06m/s to 0.5m/s and from 0.3m/s to 12.0m/s respectively. The resulting flow patterns are identified by Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) and confirmed by videos recorded during the experiments. The pressure and liquid holdup data are obtained by using pressure transducers and ECT system. The experimental results are compared with existing models and show significant discrepancies between low and high viscosity liquid and gas flows.
•Flow characteristics for viscous liquid and gas flow are discussed.•Flow regime for high liquid viscosity is not predictable by Beggs and Brill model.•Beggs and Brill model for liquid holdup is invalid for high viscosity liquid case.•Discrepancies are found in prediction of pressure gradient for high viscosity case.•Modified Beggs and Brill model gives better predictions.