TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of the diameter on air-water annular and churn flow in vertical pipes with and without surfactants
AU - van Nimwegen, Dries
AU - Portela, Luis
AU - Henkes, Ruud
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - In this work, we present results of flow visualisation, pressure gradient measurements, and liquid holdup measurements for air-water flow without and with surfactants in vertical pipes with diameters of 34 mm, 50 mm, and 80 mm. The surfactants cause the formation of foam. This foam has a larger volume and a smaller density than the liquid. The larger volume results in a larger pressure gradient at large gas flow rates. At small gas flow rates, the lower density of the foam causes the transition between the regular annular flow regime and the irregular churn flow regime to shift to lower gas flow rates. As a result foam reduces the pressure gradient and the liquid holdup at small gas flow rates. Surfactants are more reduce the pressure gradient more effectively for thinner liquid films at the wall; therefore, they are more effective for small pipe diameters and small liquid flow rates.
AB - In this work, we present results of flow visualisation, pressure gradient measurements, and liquid holdup measurements for air-water flow without and with surfactants in vertical pipes with diameters of 34 mm, 50 mm, and 80 mm. The surfactants cause the formation of foam. This foam has a larger volume and a smaller density than the liquid. The larger volume results in a larger pressure gradient at large gas flow rates. At small gas flow rates, the lower density of the foam causes the transition between the regular annular flow regime and the irregular churn flow regime to shift to lower gas flow rates. As a result foam reduces the pressure gradient and the liquid holdup at small gas flow rates. Surfactants are more reduce the pressure gradient more effectively for thinner liquid films at the wall; therefore, they are more effective for small pipe diameters and small liquid flow rates.
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2016.09.013
DO - 10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2016.09.013
M3 - Article
SN - 0301-9322
VL - 88
SP - 179
EP - 190
JO - International Journal of Multiphase Flow
JF - International Journal of Multiphase Flow
ER -