MULTI-PHASE FLOW

OBJECTIVE

To study the flow regime in two-phase flow and determine the two-phase flow
variables (i.e., liquid holdup, density, velocity, and viscosity) and pressure drop.

DESCRIPTION

The multi-phase flow setup consists of a chromatographic glass bubble column,

surge vessel, air compressor, rotameter, and manometer. Four different-sized columns
are used in this study. A desired amount of water is filled in the chromatographic
column under the closing condition of the valve between the column and surge tank.
A controlled amount of air passes through the column to create a multi-phase in the
bubble column. The airflow rate is varied to identify the flow regimes by visual
inspection (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Two-phase flow-regime in the vertical flow of a gas-liquid mixture

The above flow regimes depend on the superficial velocity of the gas. In the present
setup, the airflow is adjusted so that bubbly and slug flow is identified.
Bubble flow
The pipe is almost completely filled with liquid, and the free gas phase is present in
small bubbles. The bubbles move al different veiocítícs and, except for their density,
have an Iiltle effect on the pressure gradient. The liquid phase always contacts the wall
of the pipe.
Slug flow
The gas phase is more pronounced. Although the liquid phase is still continuous, the
gas bubbles coalesce and form plugs or slugs that almost fill the pipe cross-section.
The gas bubble velocity is greater than that of the liquid. The liquid in the film around
the bubble may move downward at low rates. Both the gas and liquid have significant
effects on the pressure gradient.
Transition flow
The change from a continuous liquid phase to a continuous gas phase occurs. The gas
bubbles may join, and liquid may be entrained in the bubbles. However, the liquid
effects are significant. The gas-phase effects are predominant.
Mist Flow
The gas phase is continuous, and the bulk of the liquid is entrained as droplets the gas
phase. The pipe wall is coated with a liquid film, but the gas phase predominantly
controls the pressure gradient.

THEORY
Calculation of pressure gradients requires values of flow conditions such as velocity, and fluid
properties such as density, viscosity, and, in some cases, surface tension. When these variables
are calculated for two-phase flow, specific mixing rules and definitions unique to this
application are encountered.

a. Liquid Holdup. Liquid Holdup HL, is defined as the fraction of an element of pipe that is
occupied by liquid at some instant, i.e.,

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝐿𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑔𝑎𝑠 (𝑉0 )

𝐻𝐿 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝐿𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑔𝑎𝑠−𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 (𝑉  (1)
𝑔𝐿 )

Thc relativc in-situ volume of liquid and gas is sometimes expressed in terrns of the volume
fraction occupied by gas called gas holdup Hg, or void fraction. Gas holdup is expresscd as :

𝐻𝑔 = 1 − 𝐻𝐿  (2)

b. Density. All fluid flow equations require that a value of the density of the fluid be available.
The density is involved in evaluating the total energy changes due to potential energy and
kinetic energy changes. Calculation of the density of a gas-liquid mixture requires knowledge
of the liquid holdup and given by

𝜌𝑠 = 𝜌𝑔 𝐻𝑔 + 𝜌𝐿 𝐻𝐿  (3)

c. Velocity. Many two-phase flow correlations are based on a variable called superficial
velocity. The superficial velocity of a fluid phase is defined as the velocity that phase would
exhibit if it flowed through the total cross-sectional area of the pipe alone (A). The superficial
gas velocity is calculated from:
𝑞
𝑣𝑠𝑔 = 𝐴𝑠  (4)
where, qg = gas flow rate.
The actual area through which the gas flows is reduced by the presence of the liquid to AHg.
Therefore, the actual gas velocity is calculated from:

𝑞
𝑣𝑔 = 𝐴𝐻𝑠  (5)
𝑔

d. Viscosity. The viscosity of the flowing fluid is used to determine a Reynolds

number, and other dimensionless numbers are used as correlating parameters.
Various investigators have used the following equations to calculate two-phase,
gas/liquid viscosity:
 𝜇𝑠 = 𝜇𝑔 𝐻𝑔 + 𝜇𝐿 𝐻𝐿  (6)

e. Theoretical Pressure Gradient Equation for Two-Phase Flow. The pressure

gradient equation (Hagadorn and Brown method), ignoring acceleration

𝑑𝑝 𝑓𝜌𝑠 𝑣𝑔2
= 𝑔𝜌𝑠 +  (7)
𝑑ℎ 2𝑑
𝑑𝑣 𝜌
Friction factor, f, depends on Reynolds number, 𝑅𝑒𝑠 = 𝑠 𝑠, and is calculated by Jain 𝜇𝑠
Equation
𝜀 21.25 −2
𝑓 = [1.14 − 2𝑙𝑜𝑔 ( ) + ]
𝑑 𝑅𝑒𝑠0.9
 (8)
Glass being a smooth pipe,  = 0

PROCEDURE

 Switch off the sintered disk glass column bottom valve.

 Fill the column with the required amount of water and note the water level
 Start the compressor and adjust airflow in such a way that flow is in the bubble
flow regime.
 Note down (i) expanded level of the water column and (ii) column pressure drop
at different gas flow rates,
 Stop compressor and close the column bottom valve.
 Repeart the experiments for different sized columns.
 Calculate liquid & gas holdup, density, velocity, and viscosity
𝑑𝑝
 Calculate 𝑑ℎ using Eq. (7)
 Compare predicted and measured pressure drops.

PRECAUTIONS
Column bottom valves must be operated gently to avoid damage to the column.

OBSERVATIONS
Inside diameter of the glass columns, d1 = … mm.
The volume of water taken, V0 (ml):
Flow Volume in the Column Liquid Gas Density Velocity Viscosity
rate water column pressure holdup holdup
(LPM) (VgL) drop (p) (HL) (Hg)
in mm of
H2O
0 88 15
0.2 92 15
1 150 15
2 175 16
5 260 16
7.5 280 16
10 260 17
12.5 240 16.5
15 230 16.5
20 220 16.5

Report the predicted and observed pressure drop

Repeat the experiment for d2, d3 and d4 diameter column