Two-phase flow research at SINTEF and IFE: some experimental results and a demonstration of the dynamic two-phase flow simulator OLGA

Abstract

The SINTEF Two-phase Flow Laboratory, built as a recognition of the fact that appropriate two-phase flow data were unavailable, has been operational since 1983. The laboratory is producing high quality data for the simultancous flow of gas and oil in an 8 in. pipe at pressures up to 100 bar. Originally equipped with a 400 m horizontal line terminating in a 52 m vertical riser, the laboratory has later been rebuilt to provide data for flow in inclined pipes. In advance and parallel to the experimental work, the fully transient two-phase pipeline simulation program OLGA was developed by IFE (Institute for energy technology). Initially designed for a single pipeline, The program has later been extended to cover pipe networks. A steady state version is also available. The paper presents selected experimental results from the Two-phase Flow Laboratory. The steady state flow behavior is illustrated by flow pattern maps, pressure drop and liquid hold-up data. The transient terrain slugging mechanism is also identified. Flow predictions by the steady state version of OLGA are compared to the corresponding experimental observations. The transient simulation package was used to predict the onset of terrain slugging and the predictions are compared to the experiments. Finally, a typical case run with OLGA is presented. 7 references. 4 tables. 20 figures.