Experimental Investigation of Oil-Water Two-Phase Flow in Horizontal, Inclined, and Vertical Large-Diameter Pipes: Determination of Flow Patterns, Holdup, and Pressure Drop

Liquid-liquid phase flow in pipes merits further investigation as a challenging issue that has very rich physics and is faced everyday applications. It the main problem fluid mechanism oil gas industry. The pressure gradient of liquid pattern are still topics numerous research projects. In this paper, emphasis on to pattern, water holdup (HW), decrease for vertical, horizontal, inclined directions flows. Test section lines 4.19-in. (106.426 mm) inner diameter (ID) 5-m inclined, vertical test sections were serially connected. experiments conducted at 40°C using 2-cp viscosity tap water, density 850 kg/m3, standard conditions. Fifty executed 250 kPa multiphase facility, with upward (0.6° 4°), downward (−0.6° −4°) hilly terrain pipes. superficial velocities changed between 0.03 2 m/s. This evidence was obtained video recordings; patterns observed, selection each depicted condition. For horizontal flow, new documented (e.g., transfer line forms top pipeline, typically high rate, lower part pipe rate). data taken condition, resulting drop. results show rate inclination angle have major impacts drop performances. clear peak demonstrated by after velocity reached certain value. known inversion point, where peak, starts declining increases. Also, slippage been observed varying inlet rates two phases. showed minor alteration angle, significantly changed. study presented experimental (measured mainly conditions) HW, These findings key evolving oil-water flowline estimate models.