NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF LIQUID-CARRYING AXIAL AND SWIRL FLOW IN A BENT PIPE

Abstract

Water condensation occurs in the sloping sections of natural gas pipelines due to fluctuations in temperature and pressure. This event has a major effect on the efficiency and security of gas transportation. In this numerical study, the flow of water via a swirling flow in a wavy pipeline is examined using computational fluid dynamics. A 1-inch pipe is used to simulate a low-lying area of the pipeline, which is normally where the condensate water would gather. The effect of swirl on the flow patterns in the U-shaped pipe with previously published experimental results is studied and validated. In order to comprehend the change of static and dynamic pressure, results are extended in the doubly undulated pipe (w-pipe). According to the innovative analysis in this study, higher swirl flow could empty the water build-up faster than swirl flow inlet velocities below 11.2 m/s in a given amount of time. When the effusion volume increases and the water-carrying capacity is enhanced, several flow regimes, including annular flow, plug flow, slug flow, stratified wave flow, and stratified flow, are observed along with an increase in air velocity.