Skip to main content
Log in

Oil-Water two-Phase Flow Inside T-Junction

  • Published:
Journal of Hydrodynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The oil / water two-phase flow inside T-junctions was numerically simulated with a 3-D two-fluid model, and the turbulence was described using the mixture k - ε model. Some experiments of oil / water flow inside a single T-junction were conducted in the laboratory. The results show that the separating performance of T-junction largely depends on the inlet volumetric fraction and flow patterns. A reasonable agreement is reached between the numerical simulation and the experiments for both the oil fraction distribution and the separation efficiency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. DAS G., DAS P. K. and AZZOPARDI B. J. The split of stratified gas-liquid flow at a small diameter T-junction[J]. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2005, 31(4): 514–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. ZHENG Zhi-chu, WU Ying-xiang et al. Investigation of the combined oil-gas-water separator[J]. Shipbuilding of China, 2005, 46(Suppl.): 543–549.in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  3. ZHENG Zhi-chu, ZHOU Yong et al. Separation technique for oil-gas multiphase flow transportation in submarine pipeline[J]. Journal of Experiments in Fluid, 2005, 19(1): 94–98.(in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  4. AZZOPARDI B. J., COLMAN D. A. and NICHOLSON D. Plant application of a T-junction as a partial phase separator[J]. Transactions of the Institute of Chemical Engineering, 2002, 80(1): 87–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. ORANJE L. Condensate behavior in gas pipelines is predictable[J]. Oil and Gas Journal, 1973, 32: 39–44.

    Google Scholar 

  6. AZZOPARDI B. J., WHALLEY P. B. The effect of flow patterns on two-phase flow in a T-junction[J]. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 1982, 8(5): 491–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. SHOHAM O., BRILL J. P. et al. Two phase flow splitting in a tee junction - experiment and modeling[J]. Chemical Engineering Science, 1987, 42(11): 2667–2676.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. HART J. HAMMERSMA P. J. et al.. A model for predicting liquid route preference during gas-liquid flow through horizontal branched pipelines[J]. Chemical Engineering Science, 1991, 46(7): 1609–1622.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. DIONISSIOS P. Margaris. T-junction separation modeling in gas-liquid two-phase flow[J]. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 2007, 46(22): 150–158.

    Google Scholar 

  10. ADECHY D., ISSA R. I. Modeling of annular flow through pipes and T-junctions[J]. Computers and Fluids, 2004, 33(2): 289–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. YANG L., AZZOPARDI B. J. et al. Phase separation of liquid-liquid two-phase flow at a T-junction[J]. AIChE Journal, 2006, 52(1): 141–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. YANG L., AZZOPARDI B. J. Phase split of liquid-liquid two-phase flow at a horizontal T-junction[J]. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2007, 33(2): 207–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. ISSA R. I., OLIVEIRA P. J. Numerical prediction of phase separation in two-phase flow through T-junctions[J]. Computers Fluids, 1994, 23(2): 347–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. LAHEY J. R. T. Current understanding of phase separation mechanisms in branching conduits[J]. Nuclear Engineering Design, 1986, 95(6): 145–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. GONG Jing, LI Qing-ping and YAO Hai-yuan et al. A model for predicting phase inversion in oil-water two-phase pipe flow [J]. Journal of Hydrodynamics, Ser. B, 2006, 18(3): 310–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. CHEN Jie, YAN Da-fan and ZHAO Jin-mei et al. Flow pattern and pressure loss of oil-water two-phase flow in horizontal steel pipe [J]. Journal of Hydrodynamics, Ser. B, 2005, 17 (2):194-198.

    Google Scholar 

  17. DIAO Ming-jun, YANG Yong-quan et al. Numerical simulation on 2-D water-air two-phase flow over top outlet [J]. Journal of Hydrodynamics. Ser. B, 2002, 14 (3): 60–63.

    Google Scholar 

  18. ZHOU Yong, WU Ying-xiang and ZHENG Zhi-chu et al.. Research on oil-water separation technique I - Numerical simulation in both straight and helical pipes[J]. Journal of Hydrodynamics, Ser. A, 2004, 19(4): 540–546.(in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Li-yang Wang.

Additional information

Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.10572143)

Biography: WANG Li-yang (1980-), Male, Ph. D.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wang, Ly., Wu, Yx., Zheng, Zc. et al. Oil-Water two-Phase Flow Inside T-Junction. J Hydrodyn 20, 147–153 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6058(08)60040-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6058(08)60040-2

Key words

Navigation