A prediction model for the critical gas velocity and pressure gradient of continuous liquid‐carrying in inclined pipes

Abstract

AbstractA generic model for the prediction of critical gas velocity and pressure gradient in slightly inclined pipes (β ≤ 6°) is presented in this article. The gas–liquid configuration was determined based on the minimum energy principle and consideration of wettability and surface tension. A visualization experiment was conducted to obtain the critical gas velocity and the critical pressure gradient of a gas–liquid flow through the 40 and 60‐mm pipe diameter. The theoretical study shows that the configuration is close to a convex interface shape at the critical conditions, which is in accord with the experimental phenomenon. Experimental study shows interfacial waves are the main cause of increased interfacial friction factor and a linear functional relationship between the inclination angle and the flow correction factor f(β). The results demonstrate that the new model is capable of providing satisfactory prediction results for the critical gas velocity, pressure drop, and liquid holdup.