FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No.

1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

Review the "Unified model for gas-liquid pipe flow via slug dynamics - Model
development"
HYDRODYNAMIC MODEL
Equations for Slug Flow
Considerations :

• "The existence condition of slug flow is embodied in the equations and the transition from
slug flow to other flow patterns can be predicted"

• The control volumen (CV) used consist of the entire liquid film zone (including the liquid film
and the gas pocket) of a slug unit.

• The CV is non-deforming but moving with a coordinate system at the translational velocity
Vt. Flow in upward direction for the calculations.

• Unidimensional flow with average velocity of each phase in the cross section of the pipe
(perpendicular to flow). For each separate phase or species there's no distribution of
velocity in the direction perpendicular to flow.

• The density of the species remain constant in the CV and no mass transfer occurs.

• The time rate of change of the mass (Liquid and Gas) in the CV is zero.

• The slug flow is fully developed and the film zone is considered in equilibrium with a
constant film height.

• The velocities of each species inside the core (gas pocket) - when there's liquid
entrainment- are the same (Vc), as well as in the slug body (Vs)

• The mixing zone is not considered in the model, and it seems of not effect in the prediction
of flow pattern.
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

Continuity equation in the CV.

∂⌠ ⌠
 ρ dυ +  ρ⋅ W⋅ n dA = 0
∂t ⌡ ⌡
Where:
W is the fluid velocity seen by an observer moving with the control volume, W = Vg/L - Vt
A = control volume surface area
υ = volume of CV.
Vg/l are the absolute velocities of each phase seen by a stationary observer in a fixed
coordinate system q

ρLHLCA(vC −vT )
lF z
1 hFi
∂⌠
 ρ dυ = 0
∂t ⌡ for the previous considerations.
ρLHLSA(vS −vT )
hFe
control volume

⌠
 ρ⋅ W⋅ n dA = m −m =0 for each phase ρLHLF A(vF −vT )
⌡ out in

Mass balance for liquid in film zone

m −m = ρ ⋅ H ⋅ A⋅ ( Vs − Vt) − ρ ⋅ H ⋅ A⋅ ( Vf − Vt) − ρ ⋅ H ⋅ A⋅ ( Vc − Vt)

lout lin  l ls  l lf  l lc 

Since the cross sectional area of the pipe and the liquid density are constants, then

Hls⋅ ( Vs − Vt) = Hlf ⋅ ( Vf − Vt) + Hlc⋅ ( Vc − Vt)

all by (-1)

Hls⋅ ( Vt − Vs) = Hlf ⋅ ( Vt − Vf ) + Hlc⋅ ( Vt − Vc) ( 1)

Mass balance for gas in the film zone

m −m = ρ ⋅ ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ A⋅ ( Vs − Vt) − ρ ⋅ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ A⋅ ( Vc − Vt)

gout gin  g   g 

Since the cross sectional area of the pipe and the gas density are constants, then

( 1 − Hls) ⋅ ( Vs − Vt) = [ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ ( Vc − Vt) ]

rearranging
( 1 − Hls) ⋅ ( Vt − Vs) = [ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ ( Vt − Vc) ] ( 2)
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

Where :
Vc is the velocity of the gas core. It is assumed that the velocity of the liquid and gas in the core
are the same.
Vs is the velocity of the species in the slug body.

Finding an expression for the slug body velocity Vs

The sum of eqs (1) and (2) yields:

[ Hls⋅ ( Vt − Vs) = Hlf ⋅ ( Vt − Vf ) + Hlc⋅ ( Vt − Vc) ] ( 1)

( 1 − Hls) ⋅ ( Vt − Vs) = [ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ ( Vt − Vc) ] ( 2)

( Vc − Vt) ⋅ ( Hlc + 1 − Hlf − Hlc) + Hlf ⋅ ( Vf − Vt) + ( Vt − Vs) ⋅ ( Hls + 1 − Hls) = 0

Simplifying
( Vc − Vt) ⋅ ( 1 − Hlf ) + Hlf ⋅ ( Vf − Vt) + ( Vt − Vs) ⋅ ( 1 ) = 0

Solving for Vs

Vs = Vc − Vc⋅ Hlf + Hlf ⋅ Vf = Vc⋅ ( 1 − Hlf ) + Hlf ⋅ Vf ( 3)

Checking the liquid and gas inventory inside the slug unit at an observation point and the following
reationships for the translational velocity Vt:

Lu Lf Ls
Vt = = = and Lu = Lf + Ls Tu = Tf + Ts ( 6)
Tu Tf Ts

Where :
Lu = length of the entire slug unit
Tu = time of pas sing of the s lug unit through the obs ervation point
Lf = length of the film zone
Tf = time of film zone as it pass trhrough the observation point
Ls = length of the slug body
Ts = time of the slug body
Volume of liquid inside the slug unit:
Volume of liquid in the entire slug unit = Vsl⋅ A⋅ Tu
Volume of liquid in the film zone = A⋅ ( Hlf ⋅ Vf + Hlc⋅ Vc) ⋅ Tf
Volume of liquid in the slug body = Hls⋅ Vs⋅ Ts⋅ A

Vsl⋅ A⋅ Tu = A⋅ ( Hlf ⋅ Vf + Hlc⋅ Vc) ⋅ Tf + Hls⋅ Vs⋅ Ts⋅ A

Where Hlf is considered constant (or averaged) along the film zone
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

Transforming from time domain into the spac e domain using the above relationships for Vt, then
Lu Lf Ls
Vsl⋅ A⋅ = A⋅ ( Hlf ⋅ Vf + Hlc⋅ Vc) ⋅ + Hls⋅ Vs⋅ ⋅A simplifying A/Vt
Vt Vt Vt

Vsl⋅ Lu = ( Hlf ⋅ Vf + Hlc⋅ Vc) ⋅ Lf + Hls⋅ Vs⋅ Ls ( 4)

Volume of gas inside the slug unit:

Volume of gas in the entire slug unit = Vsg⋅ A⋅ Tu
Volume of gas in the film zone = A⋅ Vc⋅ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ Tf
Volume of gas in the slug body = ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ Vs⋅ Ts⋅ A

Vsg⋅ A⋅ Tu = A⋅ Vc⋅ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ Tf + ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ Vs⋅ Ts⋅ A

Where Hlf is considered constant (or averaged) along the film zone

Transforming from time domain into the spac e domain using the above relationships for Vt, then
Lu Lf Ls
Vsg⋅ A⋅ = A⋅ Vc⋅ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ + ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ Vs⋅ ⋅ A simplifying A/Vt
Vt Vt Vt

Vsg⋅ Lu = Vc⋅ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) ⋅ Lf + ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ Vs⋅ Ls ( 5)

The liquid entrainment fraction in the gas core is defined as Fe

Hlc⋅ Vc
Fe = ( 7)
Hlf ⋅ Vf + Hlc⋅ Vc
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

Linear momentum equation in the CV.

In order to later find the momentum exchange per unit time between the slug body and the liquid
film, let's apply mass balance equation for each phase in a control volume that contains part of the
slug body and part of the film zone

Mass balance for liquid :

ρl⋅ Hls⋅ A⋅ ( Vs − Vt) = ρl⋅ Hlf ⋅ A⋅ ( Vf − Vt)

( −Vf + Vt)
Solving for Hls Hls = Hlf ⋅ ( 8.1)
( −Vs + Vt)

Mass balance for gas

ρg⋅ ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ A⋅ ( Vs − Vt) = ρg⋅ ( 1 − Hlc − Hlf ) ⋅ A⋅ ( Vc − Vt)

Solving for (1-Hls)

( −Vc + Vt)
( 1 − Hls) = −( −1 + Hlc + Hlf ) ⋅ ( 9.1)
( −Vs + Vt)
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

Force balance for liquid phase in the film zone

q
τ I S I lF H LF Ap 2
2
ρ L H LF A( v F − vT ) v F
lF z
1 hFi

hFe ρ L H LS A ( v S − vT ) v S
control volume

H LF Ap 1 − τ F S F lF − ρ L H LF l F Ag sin θ

FB = −ρl⋅ Hlf ⋅ A⋅ ( Vf − Vt) ⋅ Vf + [ ρl⋅ Hls⋅ A⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs) ] − ρl⋅ g⋅ Hlf ⋅ Lf ⋅ A⋅ Sinθ + Hlf ⋅ A( P1 − P2)

FB + Lf ⋅ τi⋅ Si − Lf ⋅ τf ⋅ Sf = 0

Rearranging and simplifying dividing by Hlf, A and Lf

−ρl⋅ ( Vf − Vt) ⋅ Vf  ρl⋅ Hls⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs)  − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ + ( P1 − P2) + τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf = 0
+  
Lf  Hlf ⋅ Lf  Lf A⋅ Hlf

P2 − P1 −ρl⋅ ( Vf − Vt) ⋅ Vf  ρl⋅ Hls⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs) − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ + τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf

= +   ( 8.2)
Lf Lf  Hlf ⋅ Lf  A⋅ Hlf

Substituting (8.1) into (8.2)

P2 − P1 −ρl⋅ ( Vf − Vt) ⋅ Vf  ρl⋅ Hls⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs) − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ + τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf

= +  
Lf Lf  Hlf ⋅ Lf  A⋅ Hlf

( −Vf + Vt)
Hls = Hlf ⋅
( −Vs + Vt)

 ρl⋅ Hlf ⋅ ( −Vf + Vt)  ⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs) 

P2 − P1 −ρl⋅ ( Vf − Vt) ⋅ Vf   ( −Vs + Vt) 
  τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf
= +  − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ +
Lf Lf  Hlf ⋅ Lf  A⋅ Hlf
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

P2 − P1 −ρl⋅ ( Vf − Vt) ⋅ Vf τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf

+ −Vs⋅ ( −Vf + Vt) ⋅
ρl 
=  − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ +
Lf Lf  Lf  A⋅ Hlf

P2 − P1 ( Vf − Vs) τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf ( 8)
= ( −Vf + Vt) ⋅ ρl⋅ − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ +
Lf Lf A⋅ Hlf

Force balance for gas phase in the gas pocket zone

FB = −ρc⋅ ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ A⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ Vs + [ ρc⋅ ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ A⋅ ( Vc − Vt) ⋅ ( Vc) ] − ρc⋅ g⋅ ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ Lf ⋅ A⋅ Sinθ

FB + ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ A( P1 − P2) − Lf ⋅ τi⋅ Si − Lf ⋅ τc⋅ Sc = 0

Rearranging and simplifying dividing by (1-Hlf), A and Lf

 ρc⋅ ( Vc − Vt) ⋅ Vc − ρc⋅ ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs) − ρc⋅ g⋅ Sinθ + ( P1 − P2)  − τi⋅ Si + τc⋅ Sc = 0
  A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )
 Lf ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ Lf Lf 

P2 − P1 ρc⋅ ( Vc − Vt) ⋅ Vc ρc⋅ ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs) τi⋅ Si + τc⋅ Sc

=  − − ρc⋅ g⋅ Sinθ − ( 9.2)
Lf  Lf ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ Lf  A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )

Substituting (9.1) into (9.2)

P2 − P1 ρc⋅ ( Vc − Vt) ⋅ Vc ρc⋅ ( 1 − Hls) ⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs) τi⋅ Si + τc⋅ Sc

=  − − ρc⋅ g⋅ Sinθ −
Lf  Lf ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ Lf  A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

( −Vc + Vt) ρg⋅ ( 1 − Hlf − Hlc) + ρl⋅ Hlc

( 1 − Hls) = −( −1 + Hlc + Hlf ) ⋅ and considering ρc =
( −Vs + Vt) 1 − Hlf

 ( −Vc + Vt) 
 ρc⋅ ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅  ⋅ ( Vs − Vt) ⋅ ( Vs)

 τi⋅ Si + τc⋅ Sc
P2 − P1
=
ρc⋅ ( Vc − Vt) ⋅ Vc
−
 ( −Vs + Vt) 
− ρc⋅ g⋅ Sinθ −
Lf  Lf ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ Lf  A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )

P2 − P1 τi⋅ Si + τc⋅ Sc
= ( −Vc + Vs) ⋅ ( −Vc + Vt) ⋅ − ρc⋅ g⋅ Sinθ −
ρc
( 9)
Lf  Lf  A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )

COMBINED MOMENTUM EQUATION

Equating equations (8) and (9) then

P2 − P1 ( Vf − Vs) τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf
= ( −Vf + Vt) ⋅ ρl⋅ − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ +
Lf Lf A⋅ Hlf

P2 − P1 τi⋅ Si + τc⋅ Sc
= ( −Vc + Vs) ⋅ ( −Vc + Vt) ⋅ − ρc⋅ g⋅ Sinθ −
ρc
Lf  Lf  A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )

( Vf − Vs) τi⋅ Si − τf ⋅ Sf τi⋅ Si +

− ( −Vc + Vs) ⋅ ( −Vc + Vt) ⋅
ρc
( −Vf + Vt) ⋅ ρl⋅ − ρl⋅ g⋅ Sinθ + − ρc⋅ g⋅ Sinθ −
Lf A⋅ Hlf  Lf A⋅ ( 1 −

Term due to the momentum exchange between the slug body and the film zone

( Vf − Vs) ρc
( −Vf + Vt) ⋅ ρl⋅ − ( −Vc + Vs) ⋅ ( −Vc + Vt) ⋅ ( 10)
Lf Lf

Terms that describe the Stratified and Annular Flows

τf ⋅ Sf τc⋅ Sc
+ τi⋅ 
Si 
⋅ 
1 1 
− +  +  − ( ρl − ρc) ⋅ g⋅ sinθ = 0 ( 11)
A⋅ Hlf A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )  A   ( 1 − Hlf ) Hlf 

Since in annular fow there is no contact between the gas core and the pipe wall then (11) becomes

τc⋅ Sc
=0
A⋅ ( 1 − Hlf )
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

τf ⋅ Sf
+ τi⋅   1
Si  1  ( 11)
−  ⋅  ( 1 − Hlf ) +  − ( ρl − ρc) ⋅ g⋅ sinθ = 0
A⋅ Hlf  
A Hlf 
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

For Bubble Flow

For bubbly flow consider Harmaty correlation

1
4
[ g⋅ ( ρl − ρg) ⋅ σ] 
Vo = 1.53⋅ 
 2 
 ρl 
Seems necessary to review the concept of Bubbly Flow, since in the flow pattern there's
supposed to be slip velocity between the gas and the liquid drops, but the model consider Vc as
the same velocity for each especies in the core
Evaluation of shear Stresses

2
f ⋅ ρl⋅ Vf
f
τf =
2
2
f ⋅ ρc⋅ Vc
c
τc =
2
f ⋅ ρc⋅ ( Vc − Vf ) ⋅ Vc − Vf
i
τi =
2
For liquid film in laminar flow
3 ⋅ μ⋅ Vf τi
τf = −
hf 2

Friction factor f
−n
f = C⋅ Re Where C=16, n=1 for laminar flow if the reynolds number is less than 2000,
and C=0.046, n=2 for turbulent flow if the reynolds number is larger than
3000

Reynold number for the liquid film

4 ⋅ Af ⋅ Vf ⋅ ρl Af = Hlf ⋅ A
Re =
Sf ⋅ μl

Reynold number for the gas core

4 ⋅ Ac⋅ Vc⋅ ρg
Re = Ac = ( 1 − Hlf ) ⋅ A
( Sc + Si) ⋅ μg
FLOW ASSURANCE ASSINGMENT No. 1 CARLOS DI MATTEO

τc⋅ Sc

− Hlf ) 