Fluid flow partially full pipe
Fluid flow partially full pipe
(OP)
Hello I am an instrumantaion/Electrical technician by trade so please excuse my lack of knowledge in fluid dynamics. I am looking at a pipng system in which various verical cylinder vessels, under pressure,(1100 PSIG) set at ground level, drain fluid from their bottoms, into a horizontal 4 inch pipe which traverses across the ground. at various places along this run, there are 4" tees (taps) on the top of the pipe where the 4" GOES VRTICAL 6 FT., horizontal for 15 feet, Then drops back down to ground level. just beyond this there is a control valve/check valve,which, when opened, is supposed to push fluid into a lower pressure (600 PSIG) vessel.
My question is that if the first horizontal run from the originating vessels is only partially full, is there any way liquid will be able to travel UP those vertical legs?Thanks in advance.
My question is that if the first horizontal run from the originating vessels is only partially full, is there any way liquid will be able to travel UP those vertical legs?Thanks in advance.





RE: Fluid flow partially full pipe
The type of two phase flow is variable depending on the liquid fraction, liquid flowrate and gas flowrate and pressure / velocity
In very large pipes with relatively low liquid fraction and low gas velocity, you could easily get more gas or mostly gas coming off the top of the pipe so long as the liquid flow in the main branch continues flowing. however if the gas velocity is quite high then it will essentaillly pick up the liquid and bring it with the gas up the pipe.
See this for what it physically looks like, but if you can sketch your system and advise where the flows go at the same time we might get somewhere further. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMp9Oc0Dy_U
If the pipe is coming off the bottom of the vessels why is it two phase flow? The liquid will flush out the gas and flow up.
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RE: Fluid flow partially full pipe
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: Fluid flow partially full pipe
RE: Fluid flow partially full pipe
RE: Fluid flow partially full pipe
But yes, once you get a gas velocity of probably >3m/sec, it will essentially pick up the liquid or create enough waves that it starts slugging. Once liquid gets in the vertical pipe it won't fall back out if you have enough gas velocity ( again about 2-3m/sec)
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Fluid flow partially full pipe
Good luck,
Latexman
To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.