Investigation of Taylor Bubble Behavior in Upward and Downward Vertical and Inclined Flows

Abstract

Taylor bubble dynamics in two-phase flow are vital for many engineering applications, impacting momentum, heat, and mass transfer efficiencies. Grasping these dynamics is key for reactors, pipelines, and enhanced oil recovery system designs. In slug flow, the movement of liquid slugs and Taylor bubbles is defined by the Taylor bubble velocity, influenced by the flow distribution coefficient (C0). This research collates a vast database of Taylor bubble velocity and C0 at different flow inclination angles, assesses current models, and introduces a unified C0 model. It’s observed that the physics of the flow distribution coefficient in downward flow differs significantly from upward flow. Overall, C0 experiences two transitions influenced by pipe inclination. The new model successfully represents this behavior in different inclination angles, including downward flow. Validation shows that the model outperformed existing ones, having an average error of 4.75% and a standard deviation of 8.03%.