Gas rising through a large diameter column of very viscous liquid: flow patterns and their dynamic characteristics

Hasan, Abbas H.; Mohammed, Shara K.; Pioli, Laura; Hewakandamby, Buddhika N.; Azzopardi, Barry J.

Abstract

Gas-liquid flows are affected strongly by both the liquid and gas properties and the pipe diameter, which control features and the stability of flow patterns and their transitions. For this reason, empirical models describing the flow dynamics can be applied only to limited range of conditions. Experiments were carried out to study the behaviour of air passing through silicone oil (360 Pa.s) in 240 mm diameter bubble column using Electrical Capacitance Tomography and pressure transducers mounted on the wall. These experiments are aimed at reproducing expected conditions for flows including (but not limited to) crude oils, bitumen, and magmatic flows in volcanic conduits. The paper presents observation and quantification of the flow patterns present. It particularly provides the characteristics of gas-liquid slug flows such as: void fraction; Taylor bubble velocity; frequency of periodic structures; lengths of liquid slugs and Taylor bubbles. An additional flow pattern, churn flow, has been identified. The transition between slug and churn has been quantified and the mechanism causing it are elucidated with the assistance of a model for the draining of the liquid film surrounding the Taylor bubble once this has burst through the top surface of the aerated column of gas-liquid mixture. It is noted that the transition from slug to churn is gradual.

Citation

Hasan, A. H., Mohammed, S. K., Pioli, L., Hewakandamby, B. N., & Azzopardi, B. J. (2019). Gas rising through a large diameter column of very viscous liquid: flow patterns and their dynamic characteristics. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 116, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2019.04.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 3, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Apr 4, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 15, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Multiphase Flow
• Print ISSN: 0301-9322
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 116
• Pages: 1-14
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2019.04.001
• Keywords: Mechanical Engineering; General Physics and Astronomy; Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1800858
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301932218305834
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Gas rising through a large diameter column of very viscous liquid: Flow patterns and their dynamic characteristics; Journal Title: International Journal of Multiphase Flow; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2019.04.001; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.