Ceyda Kora

Effects of High Viscosity Oil on Slug Liquid Holdup

Effects of high viscosity oil on multiphase flow behavior have been experimentally studied by Bahadir Gokcal (2005&2008). This is a continuation study of the high oil viscosity effect on flow behaviour, and is assigned to Ceyda Kora, a graduate student who joined TUFFP in fall 2008. In recent years, because of the increased consumption of hydrocarbon resources and decline in discoveries of low viscosity oils, the importance of the high viscosity oil has increased. Gokcal (2005) observed the slug flow as the dominated flow pattern for the two phase flow with high viscosity oil. Moreover, Gokcal reported significant differences in slug charactersitics of high viscosity oils when compared with those of low viscosity oils. Gokcal (2005) has already shown that the liquid slug holdup is crucial for the calculation of pressure drop, and thus, it is very important for the design of production and transportation systems. Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to investigate the liquid slug holdup for high viscosity oil and gas flows and develop a better liquid slug holdup closure relationship.

Significant effort has spent on the literature review since the last Advisory Board meeting. One of the challenges of this project is to acquire accurate liquid slug holdup data. Currently, different measurement techniques are being investigated. The capacitance sensor developed in -house has been tested. Unfortunately, the response of the current capacitance sensor was not satisfactory. A detailed report will be provided at Spring 2009 Advisory Board meeting. Next, the feasibility ofdifferential pressure drop measurement across the cross section of the pipe will be tested for liquid holdup measurement. Moreover, we are in communication with IFE for the construction of a fast responding gamma-densitometer for this project.