Validation of a novel algorithm for the adaptive calculation of transient stratified flow of gas, oil and water in pipelines

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, a mathematical model for three‐phase flow in pipelines is developed and a novel algorithm for solving the resulting system of partial differential equations is presented. The numerical solution is based on an adaptive mesh refinement technique. Significant gains in the numerical performance have been achieved by using this technique combined with high‐resolution schemes like FCT. This approach is highly beneficial in terms of speed while preserving accuracy. An explicit adaptive numerical solver adaptive conservation law solver (ACLS) has been developed in fortran90 using object‐oriented methods, which give a modular and flexible code. Some numerical tests are performed to show the good behaviour of this solver and to compare the numerical results against the experimental data. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.