Flow pattern identification of oil/water two-phase flow based on kinematic wave theory

摘要

Based on the kinematic wave theory, the kinematic wave propagation velocity (C{sub}k) equation is established for oil/water two-phase flow in vertical upward pipes. The phase distribution coefficient C{sub}o and the bubble-size-related index N which reflect flow patterns have been characterized by using Zuber & Findlay Drift-Flux Model. The calculation of C{sub}k indicates that the instabilities of C{sub}k correspond to the transitional flow pattern of oil/water two-phase flow, which gives a new criterion that transitional flow pattern falls into the water hold-up (Y{sub}w) range of 0.2 ＜ Y{sub}W ＜ 0.6. According to this criterion, a flow map is proposed which is strongly supported by Govier and Aziz's experimental results.