Flow Patterns in Pipeline Systems
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ScribdTranslationsFlow Patterns in Pipeline Systems
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsFLOW PATTERNS
Flow pattern is the configuration of phase structure in the pipeline. It is
determined by the shape of the interface (surface that separates the phases).
Importance of the flow pattern:
1. It affects the hanging phenomenon, so in order to calculate the hanging
It is necessary to first know what flow pattern is present in the pipe.
2. Heat transfer,
3. Determine which phase is in contact with the wall,
4. It affects operating conditions in the process facilities due to the
behavior of the oleogas pipelines.
Factors that affect the flow pattern:
Crude expenditure and RGA.
Pressure (gas expansion).
Line geometry (diameter and angle of inclination).
• Properties of transported fluids (relative density of
raw, viscosity, surface tension mainly.
Types of flow pattern
Flow
Segregated
Patterns of
Flow
in Pipes
Horizontals
Flow
E Intermittent
Inclined
Flow
Distributed
The flow patterns in horizontal pipes described
by Beggs are the following:
Stratified Segregated Flow: This flow pattern occurs relatively to
low gas and liquid costs, for which the two phases are separated by effect
from gravity, where the liquid flows at the bottom of the pipe and the gas at the top
superior.
Wavy Segregated Flow: This flow regime occurs at higher flow rates.
higher than in the stratified, with the presence of stable waves at the interface.
Annular Segregated Flow: Annular flow occurs at very high flow rates.
of gas. The gaseous phase flows like a core at high speed, which can
to carry trapped liquid droplets. The liquid phase flows like a thin film
sticking to the inner wall of the pipe, usually, this film is more
thicker at the bottom than at the upper wall of the pipe, depending on the
relative magnitude of gas and liquid flow expenses.
Intermittent Flow: This flow is characterized by the alternating flow of liquid and
gas, successively flowing plugs or bumps of liquid occupying
completely the cross-sectional area of the pipe, separated by bags or bubbles
of gas, which contains a stratified layer of liquid that in turn moves
at the bottom of the pipe.
This type of flow is a result of the hydrodynamic instability of a
stratified liquid-gas interface under certain conditions, where the mechanism of
Flow consists of a film of liquid that flows along the bottom of the pipe
at a speed lower than that of the pothole, and that grows by dragging liquid from the
movie at its front, but at the same time loses liquid at the back in
the same proportion.
The liquid in the pothole can be aerated by small bubbles that
They are concentrated towards the front of the pothole and at the top of the pipe.
intermittent flow is divided into plug and slump, and the behavior of the slump flow
and the plug are the same with respect to the flow mechanism, and therefore, not
There is usually a distinction between them.
Intermittent Flow Plug: It is considered the limiting case of pothole flow,
when the liquid bubble is free of bubbles, which occurs at the expense of gas
relatively low when the flow is less turbulent.
Intermittent Flow Pothole: At high gas expenses, where the flow at the front of
the puddle is in the shape of a whirlpool (due to the gathering of the slow movement)
from the movie) is called pothole flow.
Bubble Flow or Dispersed Bubbles: In this type of flow pattern
the pipe is almost full of liquid and the free gas phase is
small. The gas is present in small bubbles distributed
randomly, just like their diameters. The bubbles move to
different speeds depending on their respective diameters, the
liquid moves at a fairly uniform speed and, except for
the density, the gas phase has a minimal effect on the gradient of
pressure. There are, however, conditions where there are small
discrete bubbles at low costs, which are sometimes referred to as
bubble flow.
The difference between bubble flow and dispersed bubbles is not always
clearly visible. The flow of dispersed bubbles is observed over a
full range of pipe inclination, while the flow pattern
bubbling is observed only in vertical and diameter pipes
relatively large.
Fog or Mist: In this pattern, the continuous phase is gas, which
drags and transports the liquid. The liquid leaves a film on the wall of
the piping, but its effects are secondary, the gas is the factor
predominant.
Patterns
of
Flow
In
Pipes
Verticals
Single-phase Bubble Stopper Transition Mist
Flow patterns in pipes
verticals described by
Orkiszewsky are as follows:
Monophasic: In this flow pattern, the fluid travels in a single phase, such as
its name indicates, whether liquid or gas. If it travels pure liquid the
hanging is equal to 1.
Bubble: In this type of flow pattern, the pipe is nearly full of liquid.
and the free gas phase is small. The gas is present in small bubbles.
randomly distributed, just like their diameters. The bubbles move to
different speeds depending on their respective diameters, the liquid
moves at a fairly uniform speed and, except for the density, the phase of
gas has a minimal effect on the pressure gradient. There is, however,
conditions where small bubbles at low costs, which are sometimes designated
like bubble flow.
The difference between bubble flow and dispersed bubbles is not always clearly defined.
visible. The flow of dispersed bubbles is observed over a full range of
pipe inclination, while the bubbly flow pattern is observed
only in vertical flow and relatively large diameter pipes.
Plug: Here the gas phase is more pronounced, although the liquid phase remains continuous.
The gas bubbles merge and form stable bubbles of approximately the same size.
and the way the pipes (which are surrounded by a liquid film), and are separated by
liquid segments. The speed of the bubble is greater than that of the liquid and can be predicted
in relation to the speed of the liquid puddle. The speed of the liquid is not constant while
the section or puddle of liquid always moves upwards (in the direction of the flow), the liquid from
the movie surrounding the bubble could move upwards, although possibly to a
lower speed, or it could even move downwards. This variation in the speeds of the
liquid, could result not only in a variation of the losses due to friction on the wall, but
also in the liquid hanging, which is influenced by the density of the mixture that
flows through the pipe. At higher flow rates, the liquid can even be carried away
inside the gas bubbles.
Transition: The change from a continuous phase of liquid to a
Gas continues in this flow pattern. The liquid slug
between the bubbles virtually disappears, and the gaseous phase
it drags a significant amount of liquid, although the effects of
Liquids are significant, but gas is what predominates.
Mist: In this pattern, the continuous phase is the gas, which drags and
it transports the liquid. The liquid leaves a film on the wall of the
pipeline, but its effects are secondary, the gas is the factor
predominant.