Numerical Simulation of Slug Generation at a V-Shaped Elbow between Inclined Pipes

Abstract

Liquid slugs in oil and gas two-phase flow in hilly-terrain pipelines are often generated at V-shaped elbows and induce strong pressure fluctuation. The knowledge on characteristic of slugs such as slug frequency, velocity and length is required when designing the pipelines. In this study, numerical simulation based on a three-dimensional two-fluid model is carried out to predict liquid slugs generated at the elbows. The free surface model for the interfacial area density is employed to describe the interaction between the phases. Comparisons with experimental data show that the two-fluid model is able to well predict the liquid slug behavior in the ascending pipe at the downstream of the V-shaped elbow and the slug characteristics.