Flow characteristics simulation of concave pipe with zero net liquid flow

Abstract

Liquid accumulation often occurs during gas transmission through underwater pipeline, which affects the operation of the underwater compressed air energy storage system. To study the liquid accumulation flow characteristics in the concave pipe with zero net liquid flow, a simulation model was established in FLUENT to analyze the flow process. By analyzing the slugging distance and liquid slug frequency, the multiphase flow model, the turbulence model, and the simulation time step are determined. In the simulation, the height of the liquid accumulation is 10.4 mm and the gas velocity is 5 m/s, a series of interface waves are generated at the entrance of the pipe. However, an unstable interface causes waves to grow rapidly and merge. Also, when the wave crest of the interface wave reaches the upper part of the pipeline, it is blocked. In conclusion, the characteristics of the concave pipe with zero net liquid flow are reflected by the model.

Keywords

• Concave pipe
• Liquid accumulation
• Zero net liquid flow
• Slug flow
• CFD