Flow pattern and pressure drop of gas-liquid two-phase swirl flow in a horizontal pipe

Abstract

The gas-liquid two-phase swirl flow can increase the gas-liquid two-phase contact area and enhance the heat and mass transfer efficiency between gas and liquid. The swirl flow has important practical application value for promoting gas hydrate formation and ensuring the flow safe of natural gas hydrate slurry. The experimental section was made of plexiglass pipe and the experimental medium was air and water. The flow pattern of the gas-liquid two-phase swirl flow in the horizontal pipe was divided, according to a high-definition camera and the overall characteristics of the gas-liquid interface. The flow pattern map of the gas-liquid two-phase swirl flow in a horizontal pipe was studied. The influence of the flow velocity and vane parameters on pressure drop was investigated. Two types of gas-liquid two-phase swirl flow pressure drop models was established. The homogeneous-phase and split-phase pressure drop models have good prediction on swirl bubble flow, swirl dispersed flow, swirl annular flow and swirl stratified flow, and the predictive error band is not more than 20%.

Keywords

swirl flow / two-phase flow / flow pattern / swirl number / pressure drop

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