Multiphase flow is the simultaneous flow of two or several phases through asystem such as a pipe. This common phenomenon can be found in thepetroleum and chemical engineering industrial fields. Transport of sand particlesin multiphase production has attracted considerable attention given sandproduction is a common problem especially to the oil and gas industry. Thesand production causes loss of pipe wall thickness which can lead to expensivefailures and loss of production time. Build-up of sand in the system can result inblockage and further hamper production. Monitoring of multiphase flow is aprocess that has been established over several decades.This thesis reports an assessment of the application of Acoustic Emission (AE)technology as an alternative online technique to monitoring of sand particlesunder multiphase flow conditions in a horizontal pipe. The research wasconducted on a purpose built test rig with the purpose of establishing a relationbetween AE activity and sand concentration under different multiphase flowconditions.The investigation consisted of five experimental tests. The initial experimentwas performed to provide a basis for the application of AE technology to detectsand particle impact prior to performing tests in multiphase flow conditions.Further investigations are reported on two phase air-sand, water-sand and air-water-sand three-phase flows in a horizontal pipe for different superficial gasvelocities (VSG), superficial liquid velocities (VSL) and sand concentrations (SC).The experimental findings clearly showed a correlation exists between AEenergy levels and multiphase flow parameters, such as superficial liquid velocity(VSL), superficial gas velocity (VSG), sand concentration and sand minimumtransport condition (MTC).
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