Experimental Study on the Slugging Characteristics of Gas-Liquid Slug Flow in Horizontal Pipes.

Abstract

This study investigates the slugging characteristics of the gas–liquid slug flow interface in horizontal pipes. Using air and water as the experimental media, an experimental system was established using double-parallel conductance probes in a pipe with an inner diameter of 5 cm. By capturing the transient development process of the gas–liquid interface, the slugging characteristics of the gas–liquid two-phase flow interface in different flow regions were revealed. The results show that the value of gas-phase superficial velocity has an important influence on the shape and development of the interface wave during the slugging process. When the gravity wave generated during the slugging process can propagate upstream, the slugging phenomenon is periodic, and when the gravity wave cannot propagate upstream, the slugging phenomenon is random. The experiment verified the correctness of the interface instability theory and the liquid slug stability theory, and clarified the definitions of ho and hs. In addition, the paper analyzed the influence of gas–liquid velocity on slugging distance, ho and hs, and liquid slug frequency.