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Characterization of the critical transition from annular to wavy-stratified flow for oil–water mixtures in horizontal pipes

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Abstract

The transition from annular to wavy-stratified oil–water adiabatic flow within horizontal pipes is experimentally analyzed, and a semiempirical model is proposed. The transition is referred to as critical because it occurs suddenly, giving rise to a sharp and strong increase in the pressure drop due to the contact of the high-viscosity oil with the pipe wall. This could lead to a dangerous accident in pipelines. Experimental runs were performed on eight test sections of both Plexiglas® and Pyrex® pipes with internal diameters ranging from 21.5 to 50 mm, using tap water and oil with viscosity about 880 times higher than that of water. On the basis of pressure drop measurement and flow pattern visualization, the transition boundary between annular and wavy-stratified flow was analytically determined and compared with flow pattern maps.

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Abbreviations

C:

Constant (Pa)

D:

Pipe diameter (m)

g:

Modulus of gravity acceleration (m/s2)

J:

Superficial velocity (m/s)

l :

Laplace length (m)

Q:

Generic quantity

R:

Pressure drop reduction factor

Bo:

Bond number

Eo:

Eötvös number

Fr:

Froude number

Re:

Reynolds number

∆ρ:

Density difference (kg/m3)

∆p:

Pressure drop (Pa)

ε:

Water input ratio

μ:

Dynamic viscosity (Pa s)

ρ:

Density (kg/m3)

σ:

Interfacial tension (N/m)

h:

Homogeneous

o:

Oil

w:

Water

w-o:

Mixture

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of this work has been provided by the Italian Ministry of University and Research—MIUR via PRIN grant 2008. Operating support supplied by Mr. Roberto Bassan is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156, Milan, Italy

    Luigi P. M. Colombo, Manfredo Guilizzoni & Giorgio M. Sotgia

Authors
  1. Luigi P. M. Colombo
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  2. Manfredo Guilizzoni
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  3. Giorgio M. Sotgia
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Correspondence to Manfredo Guilizzoni.

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Colombo, L.P.M., Guilizzoni, M. & Sotgia, G.M. Characterization of the critical transition from annular to wavy-stratified flow for oil–water mixtures in horizontal pipes. Exp Fluids 53, 1617–1625 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-012-1378-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-012-1378-1

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