Experimental study of the biphasic flow behavior at low superficial velocities in an inclined-vertical pipe combination

The two-phase flow behavior in downward inclined and vertical pipes combinations has been studied experimentally, mainly when the problem nominated sever slugging is present in the system. For this purpose an experimental set up was designed, built and characterized, in which the two-phase flow in an oil platform having the severe slugging can be simulated. The experimental tests were undertaken by changing the superficial velocities of both phases. Pressure transducers and ring conductance probes were used to measure pressure, slug frequency and void fraction; all instruments were connected to a data logger and a PC for the posterior results analysis. The experimental runs executed at different superficial velocities, indicate that these parameters have an important influence in the severe slugging behavior, mainly in the slug frequency and the void fraction.

Keywords: severe slug, experimental, inclined-vertical pipe, riser, two-phase flow.