Effect of SDS surfactant on gas-liquid flow and slug characteristics in slightly upward pipeline

Abstract

A new pigging approach with SDS (Sodium dodecyl sulfate) surfactant was proposed for foam drainage in the gathering pipelines with wet gas production, especially for the pipeline section with a great pigging risk. For this purpose, the loop of gas-liquid two-phase flow with a 3 ° slightly upward pipeline was designed. The flow pattern characteristics of gas-liquid two-phase flow were collected by a high-speed camera, and the flow patterns with typical morphological structure were classified. Ultrasonic Doppler velocimeter and ultrasonic transducer were used to measure the velocity signal of the liquid phase near the pipe, and the slug frequency was calculated accurately according to the change of velocity profile data. The slug length was measured by the signal collected by pressure and differential pressure transmitter. The results show that with the addition of SDS surfactant, the flow pattern of gas-liquid two-phase flow is obviously improved, and the working condition of slug flow is suppressed. Besides, in the specific slug flow condition, the slug frequency decreases significantly and the slug length increases. It indicates that the addition of SDS surfactant is favorable to liquid discharge, and provide a reference value for the application of SDS surfactant in foam drainage in wet-gas gathering pipelines.