Investigation of the liquid carryovers in the branching T-junction, based on historical data

Abstract

High liquid content is obtained in the T-junction side arm, which affects the operational performance of downstream equipment installed in offshore petroleum industries. Diameter ratio, velocity ratio, and side arm angle of T-junction play dynamic role to control phase redistribution. The effect of these parameters on liquid take-offs is unclear from literature, without any agreement among researchers. Literature only provides empirical correlations valid for one specific application for which the correlations were developed. There is a dire need of correlations with high accuracies to conclude the effect of a certain variable on liquid carryovers based on available data. Objectives of this study are to collect data from multiple research publications, develop easy to use correlations, and to study parameters response surfaces. Plot digitization and Design Expert software are utilized for data collection and statistical analysis, respectively. Results depicted that phase separation improves by reducing diameter ratio to 0.33 and upward inclined side arm. Furthermore, liquid carryovers escalate by increasing velocity ratio and decrease at higher velocity ratios. This research study is first attempt in last few decades which is based on collection of data from different experimentation facilities and eliminating confusions among researchers about effect of parameters on phase separation.