Flow regime identification in a two-phase flow using wavelet transform

Abstract.

This study addresses the problem of the automatic flow regime identification in two-phase flows in pipes. A novel wavelet transform-based approach is proposed and validated using time series of differential pressure fluctuations. The experimental data on the differential pressure measured in a vertically installed Venturi meter for air–water flow were analyzed and found to be appropriate for flow regime identification. The wavelet spectrum of the measured signal is shown to characterize the flow patterns completely, and the vector of the wavelet variances is proposed as the characteristic vector for use in an on-line flow regime identification system.