Evolution of waves in a horizontal pipe propagating on a surface of a liquid film sheared by gas

Abstract

Different wavy regimes in stratified air–water pipe flow are determined for a wide range of gas and liquid flow rates in a 10 m long horizontal pipe with a diameter of 24 mm. Three sub-regions of wavy stratified flow are identified: ripples, roll waves, and pre-annular wavy flow. Statistical parameters, such as local mean film thickness and its higher moments (root-mean-square, skewness, excess kurtosis) as well as wave characteristics (mean heights and wave height distributions, lengths, propagation velocities, etc.), are measured and analyzed. It is demonstrated that ripples are essentially linear waves and their propagation velocities are described reasonably well by linear wave theory. High amplitude roll and pre-annular waves are substantially nonlinear, and their propagation velocities differ significantly from that of ripples. Transition to roll waves causes a sharp increase in higher statistical moments. Evolution of wave and statistical parameters characterizing each sub-region of stratified gas–liquid pipe flow is studied. Simplified models describing roll waves are presented; the model predictions are verified by experiments.