A unified model to predict flow pattern transitions in horizontal and slightly inclined two-phase gas/shear-thinning fluid pipe flows

作者：Picchi Davide; Poesio Pietro^*

来源：International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2016, 84: 279-291.

DOI：10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2016.04.010

• Shear-thinning fluid
• Flow pattern transition
• Non-linear stability
• Stratified flow
• Annular flow
• Dispersed flow

Flow pattern transitions in two-phase gas/shear-thinning fluid pipe flows represent a key aspect during oil transportation and in chemical industry. In this paper a unified model to build a complete flow pattern map is proposed and models to predict flow patterns are provided. The transitions from stratified flow regime are investigates performing a linear stability and well-posedness analyses, and a non-linear stability analysis. The steady and fully developed two-fluid model for the annular flow is proposed and validated; the flow pattern transition from the annular flow is discussed considering, also, the structural stability. The transition to dispersed flow, the slug stability approach, and criteria to obtain the slug/plug and the bubbly/plug boundaries are considered. A sensitivity analysis on the effect of the rheology of the shear-thinning fluid on flow pattern boundaries is carried out and, then, the complete flow pattern maps are validated with data taken from the literature showing a good agreement.

• 出版日期2016-9