2-Phase Flow Technology – Introduction

Marine Pipelines – Hydraulics – 2 Session Objectives

Understand the potential of Multi-phase Transport Systems & the
associated Complexity

Topics
Status of Multiphase Flow
2-phase Flow Technology - Introduction
Two-phase parameters
Gert van Spronsen - Principal Technical Expert – Multiphase Systems & Flow Assurance Models & validation
Projects & Technology - Rijswijk
Email : Gert.vanSpronsen@shell.com
Tel : +31 70 447 3427

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Two-phase Flow Definition Multiphase Applications in Production Systems

Simultaneous Flow of Hydrocarbon Liquid & Gas

through a Single Conduit

Crude oil - below bubble point

Natural gas – below dew point (Retrograde condensation) • Extent Limits of Application
• Production system modelling
• Transient simulations
• Transport untreated wellstream
3-Phase flow - HC Liquid, Water & Gas • Reduce costs
• Improve integrity / safety
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 Two-phase Flow - the Key issues Den Helder – WGT Slugcatcher 1000 m3

Two-phase flow
Simultaneous flow of Hydrocarbon Gas & Liquid
Why bother
Centralize /reduce processing facilities Unless u separate them, u cant process them

Key problem
Liquid arrival pattern (rate & quantity)
Technical Objective

Minimise liquid storage capacity at minimum operational constraints

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Woodside – NWS Slugcatcher - 5000 m3 Nigeria – OGGS Slugcatcher, 1100 m3

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Multiphase Flow Calculations Phase Diagram - Typical

Dense Phase
Region
Include:
Criconden Bar Critical Point
Thermodynamics Liquid Vapour
Phase behaviour of HC Liquid & Gas Region Region

P/L Inlet
and
Criconden
Multiphase “Correlations” A Therm

Pressure drop & liquid Hold-up

P/L Outlet

B
Temperature
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Phase Envelope - Example (2) Phase Envelope - Example (3)

Hydrate Curve
200 200

0 % Liquid 0 % Liquid
Liquid percentages
1 % Liquid
1 % Liquid
150 2 % Liquid 150
2 % Liquid
3 % Liquid Pressure (bar)
Pressure (bar)

5 % Liquid 3 % Liquid

10 % Liquid 5 % Liquid
100 100
20 % Liquid 10 % Liquid
50 % Liquid 20 % Liquid
5% 3% 100 % Liquid
50 % Liquid
P&T - 6 mmNm3/d
50 50
100 % Liquid
P&T - 4 mmNm3/d
P&T - 2 mmNm3/d Hydrate Curve

- all in Mol % - all in Mol %

0 0
-100 -50 0 50 100 150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150

Temperature (DegC) Temperature (DegC)

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Multiphase Transport Concept Two-Phase Parameters – Total Pipeline Hold-up

Total hold-up
Gas is normally the demand variable Total liquid contained in the pipeline at any given time

Annular dispersed
Gas flow - determined by pressure drop

Liquid flows - as result of gas/liquid

Stratified wavy interface forces
Σ HL = Total Pipeline Hold-up (m3)

Less gas flow Note:

more liquid stays behind in pipeline • Normally calculated at steady state, but takes time to accumulate
Slug / Intermittent flow
increase in hold-up
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Two-Phase Parameters - αL Two-Phase Parameters - λ

Liquid volume fraction - λ (liquid fraction of total fluid flowing)
Liquid hold-up (fraction) – αL (Area of pipe segment filled with liquid)
Varies along the pipe with changing P & T
Fractional Hold-up is normally more than the Liquid Volume Fraction
Liquid Volume Fraction is normally less than the fractional Hold-up
Due to liquid friction losses & elevation effects (on top of P & T)
No liquid friction losses & elevation effects (on top of P & T)
Varies along the pipeline
Determined by Thermodynamic Equilibrium of the HC stream
Fluid dynamics in addition to Thermodynamics
- No influence from Fluid dynamics

A
L =H QG = Flowing volume, actual m3/s of gas
L
AL A
QL = Flowing volume, actual m3/s of liquid
- In general Vl < Vg
- For homogeneous fluids (Vl = Vg) -> hold-up = λ

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Liquid Volume Fraction & Liquid Hold-up Hold-up - Summary

Liquid Volume Fraction: λ Liquid flows mainly as a result of gas/liquid interface forces
A
Thermodynamic quantity, only function of p and T L =α Fractional Hold-up varies along the pipeline
L
Determines the thermodynamic phase split AL A
Thermodynamic effects (P&T) & Fluid Dynamics
Liquid hold-up: α Forces to move liquid – Interfacial forces & gravity in down hill sections
Hydraulic quantity, also function of hydraulic variables like inclination, flow rate
Forces to slowdown liquid – Friction with pipewall & gravity for uphill sections

Example:
24 fluid parcels flowing, split 50-50 in gas and liquid phase (p, T split) Lower liquid velocity => increased liquid hold-up in the pipeline
Liquid Volume Fraction - λ = 0.5 Liquid Volume fraction – λ = 0.5
Liquid Hold-up - α = 0.5 (vG = vL ) Liquid Hold-up - α = 0.667 (vG = 2 x vL) Thus:
Gas
Gas
Lower gas velocities – > higher liquid hold-up

Liquid
Liquid
Uphill sections – > higher liquid hold-up
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Two-phase Flow Regimes & Two-phase Flow Pipeline

Flow pattern map - Inlet Pressure - Outlet Pressure fixed at 65 bar
Vertical
flow 140
36 inch
/ Mist 38 inch
120 40 inch
Pressure (bar)

100

Liquid head
80 dominates dP

Stability point, i.e. Minimum Flowrate

60
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Horizontal flow
Flowrate (mmsm3/d)
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 Two-phase Flow Pipeline Pressure Drop & Hold-up as function of Flow rate
- Liquid Volume in Pipeline - Steady Operation
14,000
36 inch
38 inch
At low flow
Liquid Hold-up (m3)

12,000 40 inch
more liquid to
manage
10,000

8,000
Pressure drop
Minimum

6,000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Flowrate (mmsm3/d)
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Bacton (UK) - Multi-Phase Testloop Bacton (UK) - Multi-Phase Testloop

Dimensions:
8 inch, 150 m
0, 1, 3 & 5° inclination
Fluids
Gas & condensate
Flowrates:
Gas 0 - 10 m/s
Liquid 0 - 2 m/s

Pressure - 70 bar
Liquid fraction 0 - 1

Model verification
at
field conditions
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Scientific Instruments in Test Section Bacton testloop - Flow visualisation

Gas flow
low - 1 m/s

Liquid flow
very low low
0.1 m/s 0.3 m/s

Gas flow
low high
2 m/s 7 m/s

Liquid flow
medium ~1 m/s

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Bacton Testloop Model Results vs. Bacton Tests

Flow Visualisation
Pressure drop Hold-up

Liquid
flowrate

Gas flowrate

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 Pressure Loss - Model vs. Actual Liquid Hold-up - Model vs. Actual

Pressure loss Liquid volume

Bar PSIA L = 108 km in line L = 108 km
m 3 bbl/ x 10 3
27.6 400 D = 20 inch D = 20 inch
6359 40
~10 % liquid ~10 % liquid

20.7 300
4769 30

Measured
Calculated KSLA
13.8 200

Measured
3180 20

Calculated KSLA
Calculated

6.9 100
Measured
100 200 300 MMscf/d Gas 1590 10
3.5 flow
1.3 2.7 5.4 8.1 m 3 x 10 rate
6
100 200 300 MMscf/d Gas
795 flow
1.3 2.7 5.4 8.1 m 3 x 10 rate
6

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Improvements in Two-Phase Modelling

Large scale Experiments

backed up by

Improved theory

This removes conservatism and ensures:

Accurate Pressure drop & Hold-up prediction

Extended reach of Multi-phase Pipelines
Smaller slugcatchers & less operational constraints
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sometimes used for convenience where reference is made to these companies in general, or where no useful purpose is served by identifying a particular company.

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