CFD Investigation of Parameters Affecting Oil-Water Stratified Flow in a Channel

Abstract

Stratified flow is a common occurrence for various internal flow based industrial multiphase flow patterns. This involves fully or partially well-defined interface which continuously evolve with space and time. Hence stratified flow analysis essentially involves proper interface capturing approach. The present work focuses on the numerical analysis of oil-water stratified pattern using the Coupled level set and volume of fluid method (CLSVOF) in ANSYS Fluent in a two-dimensional channel. The work involves predicting the effect of density ratio, kinematic viscosity and surface tension coefficient on the mixture velocity and total pressure changes. At outset, the final conclusions may be gainfully employed in oil transportation pipeline, chemical industries and in pipeline flow control administration, etc.

Keywords

• stratified flow
• multiphase flow
• level set method
• volume of fluid
• clsvof