Two-Phase Flow Dynamics in Horizontal Pipelines
Summary
Two-phase flow in horizontal pipelines encompasses the simultaneous transport of immiscible fluids, most commonly oil and water or gas and liquid, under the influence of gravity, interfacial tension and viscous forces. Flow regimes span stratified, slug, annular, dispersed and core-annular patterns, each characterised by distinct phase distribution, interfacial morphology and pressure-drop behaviour. Transitions between regimes are governed by mixture velocity, fluid properties (density, viscosity, interfacial tension), pipe geometry and slope. Experimental techniques such as particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence have yielded detailed maps of interface heights, velocity fields and turbulence statistics, while computational models based on volume-of-fluid methods, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and direct numerical simulation allow predictive insight into interfacial wave development, pressure-drop reduction and the onset of fouling. A growing focus on data-driven methods has begun to complement first-principles approaches, offering potential for real-time optimisation of pumping power, minimisation of corrosion risk and enhancement of energy efficiency in oil and gas pipelines, chemical transport systems and emerging energy infrastructure.
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Two-Phase Flow Dynamics in Horizontal Pipelines publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in two-phase flow dynamics in horizontal pipelines across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Two-phase flow: Simultaneous movement of two immiscible fluids in a conduit.
Core‐annular flow: Regime in which a central “core” fluid is surrounded by an annular sheath of a second fluid.
Holdup fraction (water-cut): Volume percentage of one phase within the total flow.
Reynolds number: Dimensionless ratio of inertial to viscous forces determining flow regime.
Interfacial wave: Undulating disturbance at the boundary between two phases in contact.
References
- Dynamics of liquid–liquid flows in horizontal pipes using simultaneous two–line planar laser–induced fluorescence and particle velocimetry. International Journal of Multiphase Flow (2018).
- Simulation of the hydrodynamics in the onset of fouling for oil-water core-annular flow in a horizontal pipe. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering (2021).
- Simulation of turbulent horizontal oil-water core-annular flow with a low-Reynolds number k–ɛ model. International Journal of Multiphase Flow (2021).
- Advanced Machine Learning Applications to Viscous Oil-Water Multi-Phase Flow. Applied Sciences (2022).
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