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What Is Slug Flow Steps For Slug Flow Analysis With PDF

The document discusses slug flow in piping systems, which can cause dangerous vibrations. It explains what slug flow is, when it occurs, how to calculate slug forces, and how to perform static analysis of piping systems using Caesar II software to model slug flow loads and ensure stresses are within code limits.

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264 views10 pages

What Is Slug Flow Steps For Slug Flow Analysis With PDF

The document discusses slug flow in piping systems, which can cause dangerous vibrations. It explains what slug flow is, when it occurs, how to calculate slug forces, and how to perform static analysis of piping systems using Caesar II software to model slug flow loads and ensure stresses are within code limits.

Uploaded by

amlanfacebook
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is Slug Flow?

Steps for Slug Flow Analysis (With


PDF)
whatispiping.com/static-analysis-of-slug-flow/

Anup Kumar Dey August 25, 2019

The purpose of this article is to explain the slug flow in piping and the static analysis
of the piping system having slug flow using Caesar II. One of the major causes of piping
vibration in operating plants is slug flow. So, it’s always preferable to design systems to
overcome the effects of slug Forces.

Table of Contents

Toggle
What is Slug Flow?
Is Slug Flow Dangerous?
Creation of Slug Flow
Examples of Slug flow
Calculation of Slug Force
Static Analysis of Piping Systems Carrying Slug Flow
Assumptions for Slug Flow Analysis
Sample Case Study for Slug Flow Analysis in Caesar II
Understanding the Slug Flow Analysis Output
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Online Course on Static Slug Flow Analysis

What is Slug Flow?


Slug Flow is a typical two-phase flow where a wave is picked up periodically by the
rapidly moving gas to form a frothy slug, which passes along the pipe at a greater
velocity than the average liquid velocity.

In this type of flow, slugs can cause severe and, in some cases, dangerous vibrations in
piping systems because of the impact of the high-velocity slugs against fittings such as bend,
Tee, etc.

Is Slug Flow Dangerous?


Slug flows generate dynamic fluid forces, which may induce structural vibration.

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Slug Flow

Excessive vibration may lead to component failures due to fatigue or resonance. Other
reasons for worrying about Slug Flow are

Damage to facilities
High Back Pressure
Increased Corrosion

Creation of Slug Flow


A Slug can be created by

liquid trapped in the pipeline at low spots.


a Flow Rate change.
Pigging

Such vibration problems may be avoided by thorough analysis, preferably at the design
stage. Two types of Analysis Methods are prevalent in piping design-

Static Analysis and


Dynamic Analysis

Examples of Slug flow


Process Engineers will Analyze the two-phase flow regimes and inform accurately whether
the given fluid can cause slug flow while flowing through the piping system. On a broad scale
normally following lines are believed to give slug tendency.

Vacuum Transfer Lines


Condenser Outlet Lines
Re-boiler Return Lines
Fired Heater outlets
Boiler Blowdown lines.
Various Pipeline Flowlines (Process Discipline to Confirm case by case)

Calculation of Slug Force

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Slug force is equal to the change in momentum with respect to time. Refer to the below-
attached figure:

Diagram Showing Slug Force Application

Use the following equations to calculate the Slug Force.


Multiply the calculated value with a suitable DLF. Normally a DLF of 2.0 is common to
use.

Diagram Showing Slug Force Equation

Static Analysis of Piping Systems Carrying Slug Flow

Inputs Required for Static Slug Flow Analysis

Stress isometrics of the complete system.

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Line parameters such as line temperatures, pressures, fluid density, pipe material,
corrosion allowance, insulation thickness, density, etc.
Parameters required for Slug force calculation like slug density or liquid density, two-
phase velocity, etc.
Nozzle allowable when connected to equipment.

Assumptions for Slug Flow Analysis


While performing slug flow analysis the following two assumptions are made

It is assumed that the slug is formed across the full cross-section of the pipe for
maximum impact. This configuration is least probable for vertically down word flow as
no hold–up is possible for the accumulation of liquid and eventual formation of the slug.
Hence slug force at elbows for vertically downward flow lines is not considered.
It is assumed that the reader knows the normal static analysis of the piping system
using Caesar II.

Sample Case Study for Slug Flow Analysis in Caesar II


Let’s assume the shown system is subjected to slug flow. The parameters for the pipe are as
mentioned below:

Pipe: A106B, 6”, Sch 40


CA=3 mm
T1=100 degree C
T2=75 degree C
P1=15 bar
Liquid Density=950 Kg/m^3
Two-phase Velocity=10.53 m/s

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Stress System under consideration

After modeling the piping system following the conventional method we have to calculate the
slug force and apply the same to the system. Normally all organizations have their excel
spreadsheet to calculate Slug Force. A typical excel spreadsheet for slug force calculation is
shown in the below-attached figure for your reference.

Excel Spreadsheet for Slug force calculation

So if we use a DLF of 2 then each axial and orthogonal force will be 4240 N. We have to
incorporate this force in the Caesar II input spreadsheet. Check the below-mentioned figure
for the direction of forces.

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Slug force in Bends with Application direction

Now we will input the axial and orthogonal forces at all changes in direction as shown in the
attached figure.

To enter forces click on the Forces button in the Caesar II spreadsheet.


Provide the node number and magnitude of forces with the proper direction.
Similarly input forces in all bends (other than vertically downward bends).

Caesar Spreadsheet Showing input methodology of


Slug Force

The next step is to prepare the required load cases. Some additional load cases need to be
prepared for static analysis of slug force. The same has been shown in the below-mentioned
figure.

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Caesar II Load cases for Slug Flow Analysis

Prepare the load cases as mentioned in the figure.


Make stress types occasional
Use combination methods such as Scalar

Understanding the Slug Flow Analysis Output


Additionally, We have to check code compliance for load cases L14 to L17 and ensure
that the values are well within code allowable values.
We have to check forces and displacements for load cases L1 to L9.
Refer below-mentioned figures for reference:

Caesar II Code compliance check report

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Caesar II Restraint Summary check report

Keep all stresses, forces, and displacements within the allowable limit. If exceeds then try
iteration with the support location change, support type change, or pipe routing change.

Few more Resources for you…

Slug Flow Analysis Using Dynamic Spectrum Method in Caesar II


How to Model Slug Flow Loads
Piping Stress Analysis using Caesar II
Piping Stress Analysis Using Start-Prof

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


What is Slug Flow in Piping?
Slug Flow is a typical two-phase flow where a wave is picked up periodically by the rapidly
moving gas to form a frothy slug, which passes along the pipe at a greater velocity than the
average liquid velocity. slugs can cause severe and dangerous vibrations in piping systems
because of the impact of the high-velocity slugs against fittings such as bend, Tee, etc and it
can cause the failure of the piping system.

What is Slug Force?


Slug Force is equal to the change in momentum with respect to time, i.e, Force F=dp/dt. The
equation of slug force for a piping elbow is given by:

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What are the lines that are prone to Slug Flow?
Process Engineers will Analyze the two-phase flow regimes and inform accurately whether
the given fluid can cause slug flow while flowing through the piping system. On a broad scale
normally following lines are believed to gave slug tendency.
1. Vacuum Transfer Lines
2. Condenser Outlet Lines
3. Re-boiler Return Lines
4. Fired Heater outlets
5. Boiler Blow down lines.
6. Various Pipeline Flowlines (Process Discipline to Confirm case by case)

References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/slug-flow

Online Course on Static Slug Flow Analysis


If you still have doubts, then the following online course is just perfect for you:

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Slug Flow Analysis in Caesar II (Both Static and Dynamic)

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