Computational fluid dynamics simulations of phase separation in dispersed oil-water pipe flows

The separation of liquid–liquid dispersions in horizontal pipes is common many industrial sectors. It remains challenging, however, to predict the characteristics flow evolution due complex mechanisms. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations silicone oil and water two-phase a pipe are performed. Several cases explored with different mixture velocities fractions (15%-60%). OpenFOAM (version 8.0) used perform Eulerian-Eulerian coupled population balance models. ‘blending factor’ multiphaseEulerFoam solver captures retardation droplet rising coalescing behaviour dense packed layer (DPL). blending treatment provides feasible compensation mechanism for mesoscale uncertainties coalescence through DPL its adjacent layers. addition, influence turbulent dispersion force also investigated, which can improve prediction radial distribution concentrations but worsen along direction. Although simulated concentration heights agree experiments only qualitatively, work demonstrates how improvements drag modelling be made enhance accuracy.