Experimental and CFD Simulations of Vertical Two-Phase Slug Flow for Gas-Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Liquids

Gas-liquid two-phase flows are presented everywhere in industrial processes (i.e. gas-oil pipelines). In spite of the common occurrence of these two-phase flows, their understanding is limited compared to single-phase flows. Different studies on two-phase flow have focus on developing empirical correlations based on large sets of experiment data for void fraction [1,2] and pressure drop [3,4] which have proven to be accurate for the specific condition that their where developed for. Currently, dozens of void fraction and pressure drop correlations for different flow patterns are available in the literature but none of them is enough robust and suitable for different conditions (i.e. flow patterns, gas-liquid combinations, pipe inclination angles, etc.). This clearly represents a drawback and more research in required on this field.Gas-liquid two-phase flows are presented everywhere in industrial processes (i.e. gas-oil pipelines). In spite of the common occurrence of these two-phase flows, their understanding is limited compared to single-phase flows. Different studies on two-phase flow have focus on developing empirical correlations based on large sets of experiment data for void fraction [1,2] and pressure drop [3,4] which have proven to be accurate for the specific condition that their where developed for. Currently, dozens of void fraction and pressure drop correlations for different flow patterns are available in the literature but none of them is enough robust and suitable for different conditions (i.e. flow patterns, gas-liquid combinations, pipe inclination angles, etc.). This clearly represents a drawback and more research in required on this field