A theoretical model for core-annular flow of a very viscous oil core and a water annulus through a horizontal pipe

Abstract

A theoretical model has been developed for core-annular flow of a very viscous oil core and a water annulus through a horizontal pipe. Special attention was paid to understanding how the buoyancy force on the core, resulting from any density difference between the oil and water, is counterbalanced. This problem was simplified by assuming the oil viscosity to be so high that any flow inside the core may be neglected and hence that there is no variation of the profile of the oil-water interface with time. In the model the core is assumed to be solid and the interface to be a solid/liquid interface. By means of the hydrodynamic lubrication theory it has been shown that the ripples on the interface moving with respect to the pipe wall can generate pressure variations in the annular layer. These result in a force acting perpendicularly on the core, which can counterbalance the buoyancy effect. To check the validity of the model, oil-water core-annular flow experiments have been carried out in a 5.08 cm and an 20.32-cm pipeline. Pressure drops measured have been compared with those calculated with the aid of the model. The agreement is satisfactory.