The stratified flow of gas and non-newtonian liquid in horizontal pipes

Abstract

Predictions of pressure drop and holdup are presented for the stratified flow of gas and non-Newtonian liquid obeying the Ostwald-de Waele power law model. The model of Taitel & Dukler (1976) for gas/Newtonian liquid flow is extended to liquids possessing either shear-thinning or shear-thickening laminar flow behaviour and computed results are given for flow behaviour indices in the range 0.1 ≤ n ≤ 2. In particular, conditions are defined for drag reduction of the liquid flow by the presence of the gas. It is concluded that drag reduction occurs over the largest ranges of liquid and gas flow rates at the lowest n values, provided that liquid flow remains laminar, but that maximum drag reduction may be expected for shear-thickening liquids with n values of 2 or greater. Ratios of the liquid flow rate in the presence of gas to that for liquid flow alone under a constant pressure gradient are also presented. These ratios frequently exceed unity and are greatest for highly shear-thinning liquids. Although the Taitel & Dukler approach is consistent with experiments on gas/Newtonian liquid flow, and, in addition, appears to be valid for immiscible Newtonian liquid-liquid systems, provided that the viscosity ratio of the two phases is at least five, experiments are required to confirm its applicability for gas/non-Newtonian systems.