Abstract
This experimental study investigates the effects of inclination angle and fluid viscosity on zero net liquid flow (ZNLF). Predicting liquid holdup under ZNLF conditions is necessary in several types of petroleum industry operations. These include the estimation of bottomhole pressures in pumping oil wells, design and operation of gas-lifted wells, and the design of compact Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (©GLCC) separators. The flow distribution coefficient, C[], draws special attention to the research because its behavior influences flow pattern transitions in multiphase flow and in ZNLF. Data was collected using a 2-inch diameter, 10-foot swiveling transparent pipe. A test matrix was constructed where a series of gas flow rates at low pressures were investigated for the following inclination angles: 90°, 70°, and 50°. These tests were repeated for all the angles for a fluid of 1, 40, and 124 cps. The results indicate a tendency of decreasing ZNLF liquid holdup as the inclination angle is lowered below 70° for higher viscosities. The trend suggests that the flow distribution coefficient, C[], varies with fluid viscosity and inclination angle, therefore affecting the liquid holdup in the pipe. A new model is proposed to take into account these factors and its performance estimates zero net liquid holdup with a 23 % maximum percentage error. Further study is recommended in order to establish the results for inclination angles below 50°.
Rodriguez, Jose Ramon (2001). Modeling multiphase flow for high viscosity liquids: a study of vertical/inclined zero net liquid flow. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2001 -THESIS -R6441.