Progress Update: Low Liquid Loading Three-Phase Flow
February 26, 2010
Low liquid loading gas-oil-water flow is widely encountered in wet gas pipelines. Even though the pipeline is fed with single phase gas, the condensation of the heavier components of the gas along with traces of water results in three-phase flow. The presence of these liquids can result in significant changes in pressure distribution. Many issues like hydrate formation, pigging frequency, and downstream facility design depend on the pressure and holdup. The contaminants and additives such as corrosion inhibitors are observed in the liquid phase. Therefore, understanding of the flow characteristics of low liquid loading gas-oil-water flow is of great importance in transportation of wet gas. However, very few studies have been conducted on low liquid loading especially in three-phase flow.
The experimental facility for this study is the 6-in. flow loop, which has previously been used to conduct several research projects on low liquid loading flow. Wet gas condensates are characterized by low viscosity and density. Accordingly the existing oil, which was of much higher viscosity, has been replaced by Isopar L, which closely resembles wet gas condensate properties. Preliminary tests have been performed on the flow loop to ensure that it is in proper working condition. The proposed test matrix is designed based on the gas velocities of 5-25 m/s and liquid loading levels of 50-1200 for water cuts of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. The test results will be compared with the experimental results of low liquid loading air-oil-water flow in 6-in horizontal pipe by Dong (2007) with an oil of higher viscosity.