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Vertical Flow
3.1 Introduction
The general pressure gradient equation was derived previously and given as
f v
dp g
v dv
s sin f m m m 3.1
dL gc
2 gc d
gc dL
2
Where
s L H L g H g
And the definition of f and the density term used in the acceleration component vary
with different investigators. For vertical flow, = 90o, sin =1, dL= dZ, and the equation
can be written as
dp dp dp dp
dL dL el dL f dL acc
The pressure drop caused by elevation change depends on the density of the two-phase
mixture and is usually calculated using a liquid holdup value. Except for the conditions of
high velocity, most of the pressure drop in the vertical flow is caused by this component.
The pressure drop caused by friction losses requires elevation of a two-phase friction
factor. The pressure drop caused by accelerating the fluids is sometimes considered
negligible and is usually calculated only for cases of high flow velocities.
Many correlations have been developed for predicting two-phase flowing pressure
gradients which differ in the manner used to calculate these three components of the total
pressure gradient. Some investigators chose to assume that gas and liquid phases travel at
the same velocity (no slip-page between phases) for evaluating the mixture density and
evaluate only a liquid holdup and friction factor and develop separate correlations for
each flow regime. The correlations discussed in this section are first classified according
to their complexity and the methods used to evaluate each of the three pressure gradient
components are given.
3.2 Classification of Correlations
The vertical flow correlations discussed in this section can be placed in one of the
essentially three categories. These categories are:
A. No slip, no flow regime consideration. In correlations which fit into this
category, the mixture density is calculated based on the input gas-liquid
ratio. That is, the gas and liquid are assumed to be traveling at the same
velocity in the pipe. The only correlation required is for two-phase friction
factor. No distinction is made for different flow regimes.
B. Slip considered no flow regime consideration. Methods in this category
require correlations for both liquid holdup and friction factor. Since it is
considered that the liquid and gas may travel at different velocities, a
method must be provided for predicting the portion of the pipe occupied
by liquid at any location. The same correlations for liquid holdup and
friction factor are used for all flow regimes.
C. Slip considered, flow regime considered. Not only are correlations
required to predict holdup and friction factor, but methods to predict
which defined flow regime exists are necessary. Once the correct flow
regime is established, the appropriate holdup and friction factor
correlations are determined, which are usually different for each flow
regime. The method for calculating the acceleration pressure gradient also
depends on flow regime.
The vertical flow correlations discussed and the category in which they belong are
listed below.
Vertical Flow Correlation
Poettmann and Carpenter11
Baxendell and Thomas2
Fancher and Brown6
Hagedorn and Brown8
Duns and Ros5
Orkiszewski10
Aziz,Govier and Fogarasi1
Chierici, Ciucci and Sclocehi4
Beggs and Brill3
Category
a.
a.
a.
b.
c.
c.
c.
c.
c.
Transition Flow
The change from a continuous liquid phase to a continuous gas phase occurs. The
gas bubbles may join and liquid may be entrained in the bubbles. Although the
liquid effects are significant, the gas phase effects are predominant.
Mist Flow
The gas phase is continuous and the bulk of the liquid is entrained as droplets in
the gas phase. The pipe wall is coated with a liquid film, but the gas phase
predominantly controls the pressure gradient.
Boundaries for the various flow regimes may be defined differently for different
investigators. A typical vertical two-phase flow regime map is shown in Fig. 3.2.
n n m 3.3
dZ g c
2gc d
2
dp
1 g
fw2
n
..3.4
11
5
dZ 144 g c
2.9652 x10 n d
Where
dp
= pressure gradient, psi/ft
dZ
n = no-slip density, lbm/ft3
w = total mass flow rate, lbm/ day
d = I.D. of tubing, ft
f = two-phase friction factor, dimensionless
In each method the friction factor was correlated empirically with the
numerator of the Reynolds number. The friction factor correlations for the methods of
Poettmann and Carpenter, Baxendall and Thomas and Fancher and Brown are show in
Figures 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5. Since the numerator of the Reynolds number is not
dimensionless, units must be specified for the abscissa in the graphs. For the graphs
presented in Figures 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5, the units for abscissa are lbm/ft-sec.
In the Fancher and Brown correlation the three curves for gas-liquid ratio can
be considered to represent gas-liquid ratios for 1500, 2250 and 3000 for interpolation
purposes.
L 56.6 lbm/cu ft
g 2.84 lbm/cu ft
wm = 7.87 lbm/sec
VsL
2.56
2.65
0.393
V sLVsg 2.65 4.09 6.74
g 1 L 0.607
vd 23.976.74.249 40.23
From Fig. 3.3, f = 0.021
0.0217.87 86400
dp
fw 2
n
23
.
97
5
dZ
2.9652 x1011 d 5
2.9652 x101123.97 0.249
2
dp
lbf
23.97 1.43 25.40 3 0.176 psi / ft
dZ
ft
Category b Correlation
The only correlation discussed in this category is that the Hagedorn and
Brown. This correlation was developed from data obtained from a 1500-ft
experimental well. The liquid holdup was not measured but was calculated to
satisfy the measured pressure gradient after the pressure gradients due to friction
and acceleration were accounted for. The liquid holdup is not a true measure of
the portion of the pipe occupied by liquid but is merely a correlating parameter.
Two-Phase Density
In order to calculate the pressure gradient component due to elevation change
a value of liquid holdup must be determined. Calculation of holdup involves three
correlations, two of which are correction factors for liquid viscosity. Several
dimensionless correlating parameters which must be used are given below. These
equations include constants which make them dimensionally consistent when
common oil field units are used.
N Lv 1.938VsL 4 L / L
N gv 1.938Vsg 4 L / L
N d 120.872d L / L
Where
VsL = ft/sec
Vsg = ft/sec
L
L
= lbm/ft3
= dynes/ cm
= cp
d = ft
When the liquid stream includes both oil and water, the liquid properties are
weighted in the following manner.
L o f o w f w
.. Eqn. 1.25
L o f o w f w . Eqn. 1.40
L o f o w f w
. Eqn. 1.37
Where:
fo
qo
qw
, fw
1 f o . Eqn. 1.26
qo q w
qo q w
These dimensionless numbers for any set of consistent units were defined by Ros
as :
N LV VsL 4
N gV Vsg 4
Nd d
N L L 4
L
g
L
g
L g
L 3
The correlation for liquid holdup divided by a secondary correction factor is shown in
Fig. 3.6
H
H L L . The correlating function requires a value of CNL which is
correlated with NL in Fig 3.7. The secondary correction factor correlation is shown in
Fig. 3.8. Once a value for liquid holdup has been determined from Figures 3.6, 3.7 and
3.8., the pressure gradient caused by elevation change is calculated from
g
dp
L H L g 1 H L 3.5
dZ
gc
el
Friction Factor
The pressure gradient component due to friction is given by
Where
This equation can be written in terms of mass flow rate by multiplying and dividing by
the square of the pipe area. This gives
Where
w = mass flow rate, lbm/day
Or
Where
And
Acceleration Term
The pressure gradient due to acceleration is given by
Where
If we define Ek as
N LV p 0.10 CN
L
N 0.575 p a N d
gV
HL
, calculate
H
From Fig. 3.6, L = 0.520
To determine , calculate
N gv N L
From fig.3.8 = 1
HL
or :
HL
HL
Nd
0.38
2.14
0.38
9.290.08
41.342.14
0.00124
0.5201 0.520
0.520
HL
0.520
1
H L 0.520
dZ
g
el
c
N RE
1488 n v m d
1
1
( L v sL g v sg )
(56.6)(2.65) (2.84)(4.09)
vm
6.74
n 23.98lbm / cu ft
dp dp
lbf
psi
dp
3079 1.11 31.9 3 0.222
dZ dZ el dZ f
ft
ft
Category c Correlations
All of the methods in this category essentially used the three flow regimes discussed
in section 3.3, except for the Beggs and Brill method. Some of the studies involved only a
change in calculation procedure in one or more flow regimes from previously published
methods. For example the Orkiszewski method presents new correlations for the slug
flow regime only. The correlations used in the other flow regimes were taken from
previously published work. Each method is discussed separately and the correlations for
liquid holdup or mixture density, friction factor and acceleration term are given for each
flow regime. The limits for determining which flow regime exists are given also.
Duns and Ros
The Duns and Ros correlation is a result of an extensive laboratory study in which
liquid holdup and pressure gradients were measured. Correlations were developed slip
velocity (from which holdup can be calculated) and friction factor for each of three flow
regimes (Fig 3.1). The flow regimes are defined as functions of the dimensionless
quantities Ngv, NLv, L1, L2, Ls, Lm and Nd where
L1 and L2 are functions of Nd as shown if Fig 3.11. Duns and Ros presented correlations
for a dimensionless slip velocity from which actual slip velocity and liquid holdup can be
calculated using the following equations:
Where
v s vm [(vm v s ) 2 4v s v sL ]1 / 2
HL
2v s
..3.17
The procedure for calculating the pressure gradient due to elevation is:
1. Calculate the dimensionless slip velocity S, using the appropriate correlation.
The correlation for S is different for each flow regime.
2. Solve Eq. 3.15 for slip velocity, vs.
3. Calculate the liquid holdup, HL using Eq. 3.17.
H (1 H L ).
g
dp
s 3.18
dZ el g c
Bubble Flow
Two-Phase Density
F1 and F2 are given in Fig. 3.12. They are functions of the liquid viscosity number
NL. F3 can be obtained from:
f v v
dp
m L SL m
2g c d
dZ f
. 3.21
From experimental data Duns and Ros arrived at the following equation for fm :
f1 is obtained from a Moody diagram (Fig. 3.9) as function of the Reynolds number of
the liquid:
The factor f2 is a correction for the in-situ gas liquid ratio, and is given in the Fig. 3.13 as
2/3
Acceleration Term
The acceleration term was considered to be negligible in the bubble flow regime.
Slug Flow
Two-Phase Density
3.25
F5, F6 and F7 are found in Fig. 3.14 as a function of the liquid viscosity number, NL, and
3.26
Friction Factor
The pressure gradient due to friction in this flow regime is calculated using the procedure
given for bubble flow.
Acceleration Term
The acceleration term was considered to be negligible in the slug flow regime.
MIST FLOW
Two-Phase Density
Duns and Ros assumed that with the high gas flow rates in the mist flow region the slip
velocity was zero. Therefore, the mixture density is the no-slip density and is calculated
from
Friction Factor
In the region, the friction term is based on the gas phase only. The
Since there is no slip, the friction factor is that given in a Moody diagram, but as a
function of Reynolds number of the gas
Duns and Ros noted that the wall roughness of the mist flow affecting by the film
of liquid on the wall of the pipe. The ripples of the wall film cause a drag on the gas. This
process is governed by a form of the Weber number:
and is also affected by the liquid viscosity. This influence was accounted for making Nwe
a function of a dimensionless number containing liquid viscosity,
L2
N
L L
3.31
The function relationship is shown Fig. 3.15 where the coordinates are Nwe vs. Nwe
N .
The value of roughness may be very small but the
than the value for the pipe itself. At the transition zone to slug flow, / d may
approach 0.5. Between these limits, / d can be obtained from the following equations
which were developed from Fig 3.15
Where
v sg
As the wave height on the pipe walls increase, the actual area through which the
v sg d 2
d and
(d ) 2
, is iterative.