Abstract
The paper presents the characteristics of the original optoelectronic system for measuring the values of hydrodynamics of two-phase downward gas-very viscous liquid flow. The measurement methods and results of the research on selected values describing gas–oil two-phase flow are presented. The study was conducted in vertical pipes with diameters of 12.5, 16, 22, and 54 mm. The research was conducted with the superficial velocities of air jg = 0–29.9 m/s and oil jl = 0–0.254 m/s, which corresponded to the values of gas stream density gg = (0–37.31) kg/(m2s) and of liquid gl = (0.61–226.87) kg/(m2s), in order to determine the influence of air and oil streams on the character of liquid films. The variations in oil viscosity were applied in the range ηl = (0.055–1.517) Pas. The study results that were obtained with optical probes along with computer image analysis system revealed vast research opportunities in terms of the identification of gas–liquid two-phase downward flow structures that were generated as well as the determination of the thickness of liquid film with various level of interfacial surface area undulation. The designed and constructed proprietary measuring system is also useful for testing the liquid layer by determining the parameters of the resulting waves. It is considered that the apparatus system that is presented in the article is the most effective in examining the properties of liquid layers of oil and other liquids with low electrical conductivity and a significant degree of monochromatic light absorption. In view of noninvasive technique of measuring characteristic values of liquid films being formed, the above measuring system is believed to be very useful for industry in the diagnostics of the apparatus employing such flows.
Highlights
The two-phase gas—very viscous liquid flow is a phenomenon occurring in a number of technological systems applied in modern industry both in relation to transport and thermal processing of liquid substances
The study results that were obtained with optical probes along with computer image analysis system revealed vast research opportunities in terms of the identification of gas–liquid two-phase downward flow structures that were generated as well as the determination of the thickness of liquid film with various level of interfacial surface area undulation
The goal of this paper is to indicate the metrological potential of the proprietary optoelectronic system that is used to measure the hydrodynamic values of descending annular two-phase flow of gas and viscous liquid in vertical pipes
Summary
The two-phase gas—very viscous liquid flow is a phenomenon occurring in a number of technological systems applied in modern industry both in relation to transport and thermal processing of liquid substances. Petrochemical, pharmaceutical, or food industries benefit from two-phase gas–liquid systems. The simultaneous presence of both phases: gas and very viscous liquid that arises from the nature of these processes, is very demanding while operating various apparatus. Exploitation problems are mainly attributable to the significant stochasticity of two-phase gas and liquid flow in variously oriented channels, Padilla et al [1], Gabriel et al [2], Pietrzak et al [3], Singh et al [4], and Colombo et al [5]. In the flow mentioned above—depending on the flow rates of liquid and gas phases along with physical properties of mixture components—various structures of this flow are likely to occur.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
