An experimental study of flow parameters in vertical three-phase flow

Vertical three-phase flow is encountered in many engineering applications, one of the most frequent being that of offshore oil and gas production. The prediction of flow regime is important in avoiding adverse flow conditions, which must be ultimately managed by the processing facilities. The upwards vertical flow of an air/water/oil system was studied in a 0.026m inside diameter pipe. Results of visual observations of flow regime, and measurements of pressure gradient and holdup are presented for superficial velocities in the range 8 to 23 m/s for air and m/s 1.01E-2 to 26.16E-2 m/s for water. The flow rate of the oil phase (light liquid paraffin) was kept constant at three fixed superficial velocities of 1.89E-2, 9.47E-2 and 18.94E-2 m/s. Flow regime maps are presented for the three fixed oil flow rates which are accompanied by the classification of the discrete flow regimes. Pressure gradient and holdup data are presented for two distinct flow regime transitions from oil dominated flow to water dominated flow.