(43) Multiphase Flow Performance in Piping Systems

Multiphase flow is found in various places both in nature and in practice, however, multiphase flow is prevalent in the petroleum production industry. This phenomenon brings about a major problem of pressure loss in piping systems and results in a loss in production. Multiphase flow has been studied for years however, with the increase in unconventional engineering methods, there is now a greater need for the study of multiphase flow. This study investigates various phenomena created by multiphase flow such as flow patterns known as flow regimes and pressure loss created by friction and different fluid phase properties. An experimental system was designed to represent situations in the oil and gas industry. The system included pipe orientations of horizontal, inclined and vertical sections as experienced during petroleum migration from the reservoir to the surface. To represent multiphase flow in the experimental system, water was used to represent the oil and compressed air to represent gas in the wellbore. The pressure difference throughout the system was the system was calculated using the Beggs and Brill Correlation and the Lockhart Martinelli Parameter. Experimental pressure differences were measured for different parts of the system while observing the flow regimes created by multiphase fluid interaction. Through the research methods, it was found that the majority of the pressure losses occurred in the elbows and most frictional pressure loss occurred in the vertical 3ft pipe while the 45° & 90° downhill pipes had an increase in pressure.