Identification of coherent structures in horizontal slug flow

Multiphase flow measurement devices are significantly affected by the flow pattern, such as, e.g., slug flow, leading to large uncertainties. In this context, the slug flow pattern in horizontal pipes is investigated with the aim of finding a statistical characterization of the structures in space and time. For this, two different instances of slug flow are analyzed with a snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition and an additional mode coupling algorithm, which provides an energy-ranked mode basis of the underlying coherent structures. For the considered flows, the most energetic mode pair has been identified with the corresponding slugging structures. Thereby, the temporal and spatial information of these mode pairs enables a statistical characterization of the slugs. In this context, a length scale, a dominant frequency, and an energy representation of the slugging structures are obtained from this method.     

微细通道内液氮流动沸腾的流型特性

采用高速摄像,得到内径为1.931 mm、1.042 mm、0.531 mm的竖直上升圆管内液氮流动沸腾的主要流型为泡状流、弹状流、搅拌流和环状流;并且在1.042 mm、0.531 mm管内发现受限气泡流。并绘制流型图,分析表面张力,压力和管径对流型转变的影响。表面张力是影响流型转变的重要物性参数,相对于空气—水的流型图,对应的弹状流/搅拌流,搅拌流/环状流流型转变线向较低的气体表观速度方向移动;而泡状流/弹状流的转变线向较高的气体表观速度方向移动。压力越高,相应的流型转变曲线向较低的气体表观速度方向移动。管径对流型转变有重要影响,随着管径的减小,相应的流型转变线向较低的气体表观速度方向移动。试验结果与通用的流型转变理论模型作比较,发现理论模型的预测结果与试验结果相差较大。     

竖直矩形窄通道内水流动沸腾换热特性的研究

建立单面加热垂直矩形窄通道流动沸腾换热试验装置,针对截面250mm×3.5mm的窄缝通道,对水流动沸腾换热特性进行试验研究。通过试验分析可知:(1)随着干度的增加,局部换热系数先增加后减小,有一个最大值,此时处于饱和核沸腾区域,其蒸汽干度也接近于0,同时也接近于沸腾起始点。相应地流体从单相流-泡状-块状流-搅拌-环状流转变。(2)在流动沸腾换热中,热流密度对核态沸腾换热有明显影响,而对流动沸腾液膜蒸发的影响甚小,所以可以认为由热流密度的变化而引起的换热变化,主要表现在核态沸腾。(3)入口温度的变化对单相流动的换热系数有影响,而沸腾换热系数与流型及汽泡的产生及扰动有极大关系,入口温度对流动沸腾局部换热系数基本没有影响。     

Quantitative multiphase flow characterisation using an Earth's field NMR flow meter

We present a novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) multiphase flow metering system with the ability to interpret the flow regime and quantify both the liquid volumetric flowrate and holdup for gas-liquid flows. The flow measurement apparatus consists of a pre-polarising permanent magnet upstream of an Earth's field radio frequency NMR detection coil. In this work, the system is applied to measure the free induction decay (FID) NMR signal of gas-liquid flows at a range of flow rates in both the stratified and slug flow regimes. Tikhonov regularisation is applied to fit a model equation to the acquired FID signal in order to determine the relevant liquid velocity probability distribution. Signal interpretation applied to the individual NMR scans allows monitoring of both the liquid velocity and holdup with time. The NMR estimate of the liquid holdup is comparable to video analysis of the flowing stream through a transparent pipe section. The accuracy of the NMR metering system is successfully validated against an independent in-line rotameter measurement of the liquid volumetric flowrate during multiphase flow. Finally, analysis of the temporal variation in measured liquid flowrate is shown to clearly distinguish the stratified and slug flow regimes.     

Applications of wire-mesh sensors in multiphase flows

This article offers an overview of the applications of the wire-mesh sensor (WMS) in different environments. It presents a critical review of the literature, with relevant and recent implementations, remarkably in gas–liquid and liquid–liquid flow, comparing it with other techniques. In addition, it is shown how the sensor is adapted to each application and its different geometries, showing its flexibility. The advantages and disadvantages of the use of the WMS are analyzed. This technique can provide information about local, chordal, cross-section or in-situ volume profiles/distributions of phase fraction; velocities, size and distributions of droplets/bubbles; frequency of periodic structures; interfacial area; film thickness; flow regimes and thermal distribution.     

Theoretical study of vertical slug flow measurement by data fusion from electromagnetic flowmeter and electrical resistance tomography

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) can be used to obtain the conductivity distribution or the phase distribution of gas/liquid flows (e.g. slug flow). Using proper parameter models and flow regime identification models, the measurement of phase size, void fraction, and pattern recognition can be realized. Electromagnetic flowmeters have been used to measure conductive single-phase liquid flows. However, neither ERT nor electromagnetic flowmeters (EMF) can provide accurate measurement of gas/liquid two-phase flows. This paper presents an approach to fuse the information from ERT and an electromagnetic flowmeter. A model for the measurement signal from the electromagnetic flowmeter has been developed based on the flow pattern and the phase distributions, which are obtained from the reconstructed images of ERT, aiming to reduce the measurement error of the electromagnetic flowmeter and enhance the measurement accuracy. Through the simulation research of virtual current density distribution, the feasibility of fusion of electromagnetic flowmeter and ERT to measure gas/liquid two-phase vertical slug flow is verified. By theoretical analysis, the relationship between the output of electromagnetic flowmeter and flow parameters is established. The electrical potential difference of the electromagnetic flowmeter, average velocity, volume flow rate and gas void fraction between the bubble size and location are also investigated. The fusion approach can be used to measure vertical slug flows.     

管内螺旋导流板引发的气液两相旋流场

用数值模拟的方法研究某种螺旋导流板结构引发的管内气液两相旋流的流动特点。空气为主相,水为次相,入口为雾状流。研究旋转给流型转变、气液相分布、速度分布及旋流衰减带来的影响。发现雾状流在螺旋导流板的作用下,转变为环状流。螺旋导流板内有二次涡的生成,且二次涡结构不断发展变化,离心力分布不均匀而形成沿管壁周向不连续的液膜;流出螺旋导流板后,二次涡会衰减消失,流体做螺旋向前运动,液膜沿圆管周向逐渐分布均匀。管中心处气相切向速度小,气相切向速度较大的区域远离旋流中心区,旋流中心与圆管中心存在小的偏心距;与直管及螺旋纽带相比,螺旋导流板引发的气液两相旋流在圆管中心的气相轴向流速远高于光管和螺旋纽带;与螺旋纽带相比,螺旋导流板引发的旋流强度更大且衰减减慢。     

An experimental study on real–time analysis of two–phase peristaltic slug flows in dialysis machines

Two–phase flows appear in many industrial and biomedical applications. One of the most vital biomedical applications of two–phase flows is in hemodialysis machines due to air embolism and heparin injection. Since these flows have a very complex and intermittent nature, studying their dynamics is a very challenging and fundamental problem. The purpose of this article is to present an experimental study on the dynamics of two–phase peristaltic slug flows. The measurement strategy is based on the image processing technology. The characteristic parameters of the two–phase pulsatile slug flows, including the slug length, as well as the translational velocity and frequency of the slug motion, are measured, and the effect of the liquid flow rate and liquid superficial velocity is investigated. The results show that the average and maximum slug velocities, and also the dominant amplitude of the slug velocity increase with the flow rate and liquid superficial velocity, while it is not possible to clearly predict a correlation between the liquid superficial velocity and the slug length. The measurement strategy presented in this article can be used in the control and alarm systems of smart dialysis machines.     

Signal processing for slug flow analysis via a voltage or instantaneous liquid holdup time-series

Slug flow is one of the most observed gas-liquid flow patterns in pipes. Owing to its high occurrence, the estimation of slug characteristics is essential for many engineering processes. The slug flow characterization is usually carried out by models and correlations previously calibrated with experimental data generated by the interpretation of voltage or instantaneous liquid holdup time-series. Historically, this interpretation required algorithms that depended on subjective parameters, which created high dispersion on the data. This paper proposes a new signal processing analysis, which does not require any subjective parameter. A statistical algorithm is used to calculate the film and slug cut threshold values, the disregard cut value to group slug pulses, and the disregard cut value to remove slug pulses, which are required to determine the slug characteristics. An experimental data set was used to validate the proposed methodology. The consistency check process followed two independent ways, both with good results. Based on the performance against the experimental data, the proposed algorithm is recommended for slug flow characterization.     

基于多频带谱熵的水平气液两相流结构复杂性分析

针对传统功率谱熵只能刻画总体系统结构复杂性问题,提出既能从宏观角度又能从微观角度反映系统结构复杂性的多频带谱熵的分析方法。分析几种典型信号的多频带谱熵特征,验证多频带谱熵方法的可行性及抗干扰能力;利用环形电导传感器阵列获取动态实验测试数据,计算水平气液两相流波状流、塞状流和弹状流含水率波动的多频带谱熵值,分析3种流型结构复杂性随频带因子变化的演变规律。实验结果表明:波状流的多频带谱熵最低,弹状流多频带谱熵值最高;塞状流的多频带谱熵居于波状流与弹状流之间。3种流型在分析频率为0~8.3 Hz时,呈现近似线性变化的结构复杂性特征以及较强的流型区分度,可以作为流型识别的准则。     

Application of ultrasonic multi-wave method for two-phase bubbly and slug flows

This paper proposes a measurement technique for two-phase bubbly and slug flows using ultrasound. In order to obtain both liquid and gas velocity distributions simultaneously, a new technique for separating liquid and gas velocity data is developed. The technique employs a unique ultrasonic transducer referred to as multi-wave transducer (TDX). The multi-wave TDX consists of two kinds of ultrasonic piezoelectric elements which have different resonant frequencies. The central element of 3 mm diameter has a basic frequency of 8 MHz and the outer element has a basic frequency of 2 MHz. The multi-wave TDX can emit the two ultrasonic frequencies independently. In our previous investigations, both elements were connected with two ultrasonic velocity profile (UVP) monitors to measure liquid and bubble velocity distributions. However, the technique was limited to the measurement of bubbly flows at low void-fraction. Furthermore, it was impossible to synchronize the instantaneous velocities of liquid and bubbles because of the facility limitation. In order to overcome these disadvantages, cross-correlation method is employed for the measurements in this study. In order to apply the technique to flow measurements, ultrasound pressure fields are measured. As a result, it is found that the TDX must be set 20 mm away from the test section. The technique is applied to measuring bubbly and slug flows. By the combination of 2 and 8 MHz ultrasonic echo signals, the echo signals are distinguished between reflected from particles and bubbles. Compared with the results of obtaining with the multi-wave method and a high-speed camera, it is confirmed that the technique can separate the information of liquid and gas phases at a sampling rate of 1000 Hz.     

Counter-current air-water flow in narrow rectangular channels with offset strip fins

Counter-current two-phase flows of air-water in narrow rectangular channels with offset-strip fins have been experimentally investigated in a 760 mm long and 100 mm wide test section with 3.0 and 5.0 mm gap widths. The two-phase flow regime, channel-average void fractions and two-phase pressure gradients were studied. Flow regime transition occurred at lower superficial velocities of air than in the channels without fins. In the bubbly and slug flow regimes, elongated bubbles rose along the subchannel formed by fins without lateral movement. The critical void fraction for the bubbly-to-slug transition was about 0.14 for the 3 mm gap channel and 0.2 for the 5 mm gap channel, respectively. Channel-average void fractions in the channels with fins were almost the same as those in the channels without fins. Void fractions increased as the gap width increased, especially at high superficial velocity of air. The presence of fins enhanced the two-phase distribution parameter significantly in the slug How, where the effect of gap width was almost negligible. Superficial velocity of air dominated the two-phase pressure gradients. Liquid superficial velocity and channel gap width has only a minor effect on the pressure gradients.     

气泡影响下的电磁流量测量优化技术研究

电磁流量测量在工业生产过程中扮演着重要角色,但易受流体中气泡的影响导致测量结果出现波动进而影响测量精度,因此通过技术手段实现测量精度的优化十分关键。针对电磁流量测量精度受气泡影响的测量优化问题,本文首先从权重函数角度入手,建立了气泡对电磁流量测量影响的理论模型;其次,通过有限元仿真研究了气泡对权重函数的影响,并根据仿真结果提出了一种基于图像采集与处理技术的优化方法降低气泡对电磁流量测量的影响;最后,为了验证优化方法的可行性,开发了气泡图像处理算法,并搭建气液两相流流体电磁流量测量实验平台进行实验验证。实验结果表明,采用优化方法补偿后的电磁流量测量系统受气泡影响的敏感程度得到有效降低,误差降低幅度均在82.63%以上,最大误差降低幅度可达91%,优化后气泡存在时的测量误差在±3.03%以内。研究有效降低了电磁流量测量受气泡影响产生的误差,为进一步提高气泡影响下的电磁流量测量精度和实现气液两相流电磁测量提供技术支持。     

科氏流量计应用于气液两相流测量的实验研究

以空气-水为介质,对科氏流量计应用于气液两相流双参数测量进行了实验研究.实验过程中保持液相流量一定,通过加入不同体积分数的空气来分析含气率对科氏流量计测量精度的影响,采用Weisman垂直上升管气液两相流流型图与实验数据进行了比较.结合实验结果,初步归纳出含气量、流型和科氏流量计测量精度之间的关系,总结出液相中含气影响科氏流量计测量精度的主要因素及其影响规律,为进一步研究科氏流量计气液两相流测量误差修正提供了一种技术方法.     

Image processing techniques for high-speed videometry in horizontal two-phase slug flows

Two-phase flow measurements are very common in industrial applications especially in oil and gas areas. Although some works in image segmentation have analyzed gas–liquid slug flow along vertical pipes, few approaches have focused on horizontal experiments. In such conditions, the detection of the Taylor bubble is challenging due the great amount of small bubbles in the slug area and, thus, requires a special treatment in order to separate gas from liquid phases. This article describes a new technique that automatically estimates bubble parameters (e.g. frequency, dimension and velocity) through video analysis of high-speed camera measurements in horizontal pipes. Experimental data were obtained from a flow test section where slug flows were generated under controlled conditions. Image processing techniques such as watershed segmentation, top-hat filtering and H-minima transform were applied to detect and estimate bubble contour and velocities from the observed images. Finally, the estimated parameters were compared to theoretical predictions, showing good agreement and indicating that the proposed technique is a powerful tool in the investigation of two-phase flow.     

Ultrasound measurement of large bubbles rising in angled slug pipe flows

This study details the problem of the ultrasonic detection of large bubbles rising rapidly in an upward gas–liquid two-phase pipe flow and proposes a new method to solve the problem. The proposed method uses two types of information, namely the echo intensity reflected by large bubbles and the Doppler frequency, which have different features in interface detection. The method using the Doppler frequency performs well in the detection of large bubbles regardless of the interface condition, whereas the method using the echo intensity has trouble in detecting an uneven interface. In contrast, the information of the echo intensity guarantees high accuracy of the interface detection even if that of the Doppler frequency has low accuracy for the detection owing to many small bubbles existing in the liquid film. Here, the two methods are combined to overcome their problems, and a validation test confirms that the results of the combined method agree well with the results of image processing. As demonstrations of the proposed method, the slug frequency, velocity, and airflow rate of large bubbles in an air-lift pump are obtained. The results confirm that the proposed method can be adopted for the high velocity of slug flow in various applications.     

A non-intrusive probe for bubble profile and velocity measurement in horizontal slug flows

A new technique was developed for measuring the profile and mean velocity of elongated bubbles in horizontal air–water slug flows. It is based on the capacitance between two thin electrodes mounted on the external surface of a dielectric pipe, and has advantages in relation to the traditional parallel wire technique, since it is not intrusive, the presence of impurities in the liquid phase has no influence on the probe response, and it is applicable to very low electrical conductivity liquids, such as oils and deionized water. Tests were performed in an experimental facility with a 5 m long, 34 mm internal diameter Plexiglas pipeline. The elongated bubble mean velocity was determined by using a cross correlation technique applied to the signals coming from two identical capacitance probes, mounted 50 mm distant from each other. The results were compared with an empirical correlation from the literature. Discordance was observed only for flows near the flow pattern transition regions in the flow pattern map.     

Simulation and experimental investigation on gas-liquid two-phase flow separation behaviors in multitube T-Junction separator

A specially designed separator for gas-liquid two-phase flow separation and measurement is proposed. The flow characteristics and working scope are studied under different gas/liquid superficial velocities and different flow patterns through FLUENT numerical simulation and experimental research. The working scope of the separator is related to both the gas and liquid superficial velocity. The separator work well under the when the gas superficial velocity ranges from 0.65 to 21 m/s, and the liquid superficial velocity ranges from 0.01 to 0.31 m/s. When the actual working condition is beyond this range, the performance is not so outstanding in case of partial slug flow and annular. Under the working range of the separator, the measurement error of gas and liquid mass flow rates is less than ±2.5%. The special structure provides a buffer space for liquid slug, which shows good shock resistance capacity under high liquid superficial velocity. The investigation offers a valuable guidance for multiphase flow rates measurement.