Analysis of Frictional Pressure Drop based on Flow Regimes of Oil-water Flow in Pipeline

Abstract

This article presents the analysis of frictional pressure drop, flow regimes of oil-water flow in an inclined pipeline. The analysis is done based on the Lockhart-Martinelli principle. The Lockhart-Martinelli model is modified and incorporated to predict the frictional pressure drop of oil-water flow in inclined pipeline. The effects of operating variables such as oil and water flow rates on frictional pressure drop are investigated. To predict the frictional pressure drop, friction factor of oil-water two-phase flow, correlations have also been developed for different flow regimes as a function of different dimensionless groups by introducing the operating variables and physical properties. The studies of the pressure drop of oil-water flow in pipeline may give insight into a further understanding and modeling of the liquid-liquid two-phase flow characteristics in chemical industries.