Numerical modelling of multiphase flow hydrodynamics by CFD analysis methods in a double-elbow pipeline

Abstract

Introduction. Prediction of multiphase flow patterns in pipelines of gas and oil industry is a complicated hydrodynamic process. Hydraulics of gas-liquid flows and erosion processes in pipelines with many bends in which gas, water, oil and air move are insufficiently studied. There are known studies of movement in single-phase flow conditions with one elbow, which is insufficient for design of modern pipeline systems. Therefore, there is a need for in-depth analysis of interaction of media in multiphase flow and transported sand particles. In this paper the effects of elbows on multiphase flow hydraulics and erosion of pipe sections are investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling tools for 100 seconds’ of process. Materials and methods. A liquid volume model (VOF) was used to simulate three-phase flow: air-water with solids in a pipe with two elbows. Turbulence effects have been accounted for with the RNG k–ε model. The model verification methods from previous studies have been used. For the numerical solution, the Ansys Fluent version 20.1 software package has been used. The results of CFD modelling of the volumetric gas content have shown a good agreement with the available experimental data. Results. The results showed that the change in the flow regime remains unchanged before the first elbow and after the se-cond elbow in the cork flow. However, for the initial churn flow regime, the flow regime varies at different segments of the flow area before and after each elbow. Conclusions. The preliminary churn flow in the upper vertical section was transformed to wavy stratified flow in the horizontal section between the two elbows and wavy annular flow in the vertical pipe after the second elbow. The flow pattern in slug flow maintained same after the first elbow, but the Taylor bubbles are lengthier in the horizontal section between the first and second elbows.