Abstract

The local interactions and fluctuations of multiphase flow properties present in upward slug/churn flow patterns through a 90\(^0\) pipe bend has been investigated. Numerical modelling technique using the Volume of Fluid method (VOF) and Reynolds Averaged Naiver-Stokes equation (RANS) was used in this study. Validation of the modelling approach was carried out using the void fraction signals from the simulation and its PDF result. These signals compared well with reported experimental results for slug and churn flow patterns. Result analysis which focused on velocity and pressure fluctuations at three different cross-sectional planes of the elbow showed a reduction in the fluctuation energy (PSD) of the velocity signal at the downstream locations compared to the upstream. Similar behaviour was seen in the pressure signal. The observation was attributed to the change in multiphase flow patterns from slug to stratified/stratified wavy flow pattern after the bend. The results from this study intend to inform enhanced description of the local fluctuations of slug geometry, density and frequency for the accurate prediction of flow induced fluctuating forces due to slug-churn turbulent flows at pipe bends.

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