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Prediction of Slug Length in Horizontal, Large-Diameter Pipes
Prediction of Slug Length in Horizontal, Large-Diameter Pipes
Summary. The prediction of slug characteristics for large-diameter pipes is studied with data collected from flowlines in the Prudhoe
Bay field in Alaska. A 3-mile [5-km]-long pipeline was fully instrumented with nuclear densitometers, insert turbine meters, flowmeters,
pressure and temperature sensors, and separator level indicators. During these tests, more than 19 million data points were collected
on 12-, 16-,20-, and 24-in. [30-,41-,51-, and 61-cm]-diameter pipes. These data were used to construct a data base that can be accessed
interactively or by FORTRAN applications programs. The data show such slug characteristics as slug length, bubble length, and holdups.
Data analysis revealed that the liquid slugs do not maintain a constant length and that the slugs tend to grow as they flow through the
pipeline. An existing slug-length correlation was modified with these new data, and a term was added to account for the observed slug growth.
PDP11 Experiments (15.9 in., 670 psia, 133°F) X= 14,634 ft 14,641 ft 14,789 ft
1 14 (9.62) (2.51) 0.75 0.26 343.9 360.4 372.6
densitometer, D2, is located 6,365 ft [1940 m] from the pipeline Previously, it was assumed that, after a slug forms, its length
entrance; D6 is located at 14,935 ft [4552 m], giving a separation remains constant downstream. However, the Prudhoe Bay data
distance of 8,570 ft [2612 m]. Waves are seen on the liquid film strongly indicate that this is not true. The slugs are seen to form,
preceding the slugs. The wavy region ahead of the fourth slug at grow, dissipate, and coalesce in the entire length of the 3-mile
Densitometer D2 is about 4,800 ft [1463 m] long. Notice that the [5-km] pipeline. The data also indicate that slug formation is not
fourth slug seen at Densitometer D6 has formed from these waves entirely an entrance phenomenon and does not occur at a fixed lo-
somewhere between D2 and D6. Also notice that the second slug cation in a horizontal pipe. At certain flow rates, slugs were ob-
seen at Densitometer D6 has grown in length, apparently because served to form over a 2-mile [3.2-km] region of the pipeline.
of coalescence with the waves seen in front of it at D2. Some general observations were made during data analysis: (1)
Fig. 4 shows densitometer responses with time for Test 2 of the the length and other characteristics of the liquid slugs seemed un-
16-in. [41-cm] PDP 11 experiment. This test was performed at a affected by passing through expansion loops and short risers; (2)
relatively low superficial gas velocity. The first densitometer, D9, the aeration and, to a lesser degree, slug length were seen to in-
is located 10,936 ft '[3333 m] from the pipeline entrance; D6 is lo- crease with increasing Vsg; (3) slug length showed some sensitivi-
cated at 14,810 ft [4514 m], giving a separation distance of 3,874 ty to imposed pressure variations at the inlet and outlet; and (4)
ft [1181 m]. A very dynamic process is also observed here, with the longest slugs were observed to occur during the transient slug-
slugs dissipating, coalescing, and growing. Notice that the first slug flow periods caused by changes in the inlet flow rates.
has grown in both length and holdup. The next two slugs have Fig. 5 shows the observed slug growth with distance for the high-
coalesced into one large slug, and the third slug from the end has gas-rate tests; Fig. 6 shows the observed slug growth with distance
almost totally dissipated. for the low-gas-rate tests. Notice that the slug growth in Fig. 5 is
much more rapid than that observed in Fig. 6. Therefore, there
appear to be two different types of slug growth controlled by several
different mechanisms.
t:cu:::uJJ
~ 6294 6419 6544 6669 6794
10
PIPE DIAMETER ( IN,)
~:~6575 6700 6825
TIME (SEC.)
6950 7075
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12060 121BS 12310 1243S 12560 lLJ
TIME (SEC,)
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Fig. 4-Densitometer responses for low-v III test. lLJ250
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DEVELOPING TERM
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SLUG FORMATION 1 I I
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SLUGS I
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Fig. 7-Characterlzatlon of slug growth.
4000 8000 12,000 16,000 20,000
PIPE LENGTH (FT.)
~0.6
Z
o
~
10 5000 25000
PIPE DIAMETER (IN,)
Fig. a-Comparison of experimental data with new slug- Fig. 9-Comparison of experimental data with new slug-
length-ys.-dlameter correlation. growth correlation.