Applicability of Slug Flow Models to Heavy Oils

Lacy, C.E.

doi:10.2118/147114-ms

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Choi et al [32] proposed C o = 2.27 for relatively medium viscosity oils from Equation 7. Lacy [43] also suggested 2.3 for C o and most recently 2.26 by Archibong-Eso [11].…”

Section: Correlation Of Slug Translational Velocity Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Slug Translational Velocity for Highly Viscous Oil and Gas Flows in Horizontal Pipes

Baba

Archibong-Eso

Aliyu

et al. 2019

Fluids

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Slug translational velocity, described as the velocity of slug units, is the summation of the maximum mixture velocity in the slug body and the drift velocity. Existing prediction models in literature were developed based on observation from low viscosity liquids, neglecting the effects of fluid properties (i.e., viscosity). However, slug translational velocity is expected to be affected by the fluid viscosity. Here, we investigate the influence of high liquid viscosity on slug translational velocity in a horizontal pipeline of 76.2-mm internal diameter. Air and mineral oil with viscosities within the range of 1.0–5.5 Pa·s were used in this investigation. Measurement was by means of a pair of gamma densitometer with fast sampling frequencies (up to 250 Hz). The results obtained show that slug translational velocity increases with increase in liquid viscosity. Existing slug translational velocity prediction models in literature were assessed based on the present high viscosity data for which statistical analysis revealed discrepancies. In view of this, a new empirical correlation for the calculation of slug translational velocity in highly viscous two-phase flow is proposed. A comparison study and validation of the new correlation showed an improved prediction performance.

show abstract

“…Choi et al [32] proposed C o = 2.27 for relatively medium viscosity oils from Equation 7. Lacy [43] also suggested 2.3 for C o and most recently 2.26 by Archibong-Eso [11].…”

Section: Correlation Of Slug Translational Velocity Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Slug Translational Velocity for Highly Viscous Oil and Gas Flows in Horizontal Pipes

Baba

Archibong-Eso

Aliyu

et al. 2019

Fluids

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Evaluating the Effects of High Viscosity Liquid on Two Phase Flow Slug Translational Velocity using Gamma Radiation Methods

Baba

Aliyu

Okeke

et al. 2019

Day 2 Tue, August 06, 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Slug translational velocity, described as the velocity of slug units, is the summation of the maximum mixture velocity in the slug body and the drift velocity. Accurate estimation of this parameter is important for energy-efficient design of oil and gas pipelines. A survey of the literature revealed that existing prediction models of this parameter were developed based on observation from low viscosity liquids (of 1 Pa.s or less). However, its behaviour in pipes transporting higher viscosity oils is significantly different. In this research work, new data for slug translational velocity in high-viscosity oil-gas flows are reported. Scaled experiments were carried out using a mixture of air and Mineral oil of viscosity ranging from 0.7 to 6.0 Pa.s in a 17-m long horizontal pipe of 0.0762 m ID. Temperature dependence of the oil's viscosity is given as μ=−0.0043T3+0.0389T2−1.4174T+18.141. The slug translational velocity was measured by means two pairs of two fast-sampling Gamma Densitometers with a sampling frequency of 250 Hz. For the range of experimental flow conditions investigated, increase in liquid oil viscosity was observed to strongly influence slug translational velocity. A new predictive correlation incorporating the effect of viscosity on slug translational velocity was derived using the current dataset and incorporating those obtained in literature with oil viscosity ranging from 0.189–6.0 Pa.s for horizontal flow. A comparison by statistical analysis and validation and of the new closure relationship showed a remarkably improved performance over existing correlations.

show abstract

Modeling Two-Phase Intermittent/Annular Flow Pattern Transition in High Liquid Viscosity Upward Vertical Wells

Al-Safran

Ghasemi²

2023

Day 2 Mon, February 20, 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two-phase flow pattern prediction is required for accurate prediction of liquid holdup and pressure gradient in upward vertical wells. Recent studies of flow pattern models evaluation in high liquid viscosity two-phase in vertical pipe upward flow revealed (Al-Safran et al., 2020) discrepancies in all transition boundaries, including the intermittent (IN)/annular (AN) transition. This study aims to investigate the effect of liquid viscosity to improve Taitel et al. (1980) and Barnea (1987) IN/AN flow pattern transition models predictions. Taitel et al. liquid droplet fallback model is modified by incorporating liquid viscosity effect in the critical Weber number to predict droplet terminal velocity. In addition, this work eliminates the assumption of negligible annular film thickness (due to high viscosity liquid) in predicting the critical gas velocity to transport liquid drop upward, i.e. transition to intermittent flow. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the interfacial friction factor (fi) and liquid entrainment (fE) closure relationships are crucial in Barnea (1987) film bridging and film instability IN/AN transition models. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of fi and fE correlations and their combinations revealed that the combination of Pan and Hanratty (2002) fE correlation and Ishii and Grolmes (1975) fi correlation is the best, i.e. produces least prediction error, for wide range of liquid viscosity. A validation study against large experimental database of high liquid viscosity (4 mPa.s to 1600 mPa.s) flow pattern showed high prediction efficiency for the improved Taitel et al. and Barnea IN/AN transition models.

show abstract

Applicability of Slug Flow Models to Heavy Oils

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

Slug Translational Velocity for Highly Viscous Oil and Gas Flows in Horizontal Pipes

Slug Translational Velocity for Highly Viscous Oil and Gas Flows in Horizontal Pipes

Evaluating the Effects of High Viscosity Liquid on Two Phase Flow Slug Translational Velocity using Gamma Radiation Methods

Modeling Two-Phase Intermittent/Annular Flow Pattern Transition in High Liquid Viscosity Upward Vertical Wells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About