Pressure Drop in Vertical Core-Annular Flow

Abstract

An experimental apparatus for the study of core annular flows of heavy oil and water at room temperature has been set up and tested at laboratory scale. The test section consists of a 2.75 cm ID galvanized steel pipe. Tap water and a heavy oil (17.6 Pa.s; 963 kg/m³) were used. Pressure drop in a vertical upward test section was accurately measured for oil flow rates in the range 0.297 - 1.045 l/s and water flow rates ranging from 0.063 to 0.315 l/s. The oil-water input ratio was in the range 1-14. The measured pressure drop comprises gravitational and frictional parts. The gravitational pressure drop was expressed in terms of the volumetric fraction of the core, which was determined from a correlation developed by Bannwart (1998b). The existence of an optimum water-oil input ratio for each oil flow rate was observed in the range 0.07 - 0.5. The frictional pressure drop was modeled to account for both hydrodynamic and net buoyancy effects on the core. The model was adjusted to fit our data and shows excellent agreement with data from another source (Bai, 1995)

CFD Simulation of the Hydrodynamics of Core-Annular Flow of Oil, Gas and Water in Elliptic-Cylindrical Duct

“…These studies, both experimental, analytical and even numerical, aim, mainly, at reducing the friction loss caused by water injection. Works such as Housz et al [11]; Russell and Charles [12]; Oliemans [13]; Joseph et al [14]; Prada [15]; Li and Renardy [16]; Bannwart [17]; Ooms and Poetry [18]; Ooms et al [19]; Biazussi [20]; Andrade et al [21]; Cazarez and Gonzalez [22]; Hu et al [23]; Oliveira [24], among others, have contributed to the study and improvement of this technique.…”

“…Several studies have been reported in the literature related to the use of the core-flow technique [12,13,15,17,23,[27][28][29][30][31].…”

“…Based on experimental data, Bannwart [17] developed a model to predict the pressure drop in a core-flow of oil and water in horizontal tubes. According to the results, the correlation that considered the perfect annular flow did not present satisfactory results due to the ripple present at the interface and the turbulence in the flow of the water ring.…”

Isolamento térmico de duto circular em escoamento laminar completamente desenvolvido de fluidos imiscíveis (Água-Óleo)

“…Resultados experimentais disponíveis na literatura para sistemas gás-líquido e líquido-líquido foram apresentados por Brauner (2001), Angeli & Hewitt (2000), Prada & Bannwart (1999), onde se demonstra que a forma mais interessante para transporte de óleo muito viscoso, em escoamento horizontal, consiste de injeção de água na forma de camada anular lubrificante. Resultados teóricos para escoamento e transferência de calor, neste tipo de sistema, foram apresentados por Nogueira e Cotta (1990), Bentwich & Sideman(1964), Hasson & Fink (1974) e Kimura & Nogueira (2011).…”

Isolamento térmico de duto circular em escoamento laminar completamente desenvolvido de fluidos imiscíveis (Água-Óleo)

“…Resultados experimentais disponíveis na literatura para sistemas gás-líquido e líquido-líquido foram apresentados por Brauner (2001), Angeli & Hewitt (2000), Prada & Bannwart (1999), onde se demonstra que a forma mais interessante para transporte de óleo muito viscoso, em escoamento horizontal, consiste de injeção de água na forma de camada anular lubrificante. Resultados teóricos para escoamento e transferência de calor, neste tipo de sistema, foram apresentados por Nogueira e Cotta (1990), Bentwich & Sideman(1964), Hasson & Fink (1974) e Kimura & Nogueira (2011).…”