Computer Prediction of Slug Flow in Pipelines: Potential for Industrial Applications Available to Purchase

The potential for application of the newly introduced slug-capturing computational technique to simulate the initiation and development of slug flow in actual pipelines in industry is examined. First the approach is explained, and its virtues in accurately predicting slug characteristics in experimental facilities are restated. The computational requirements to obtain a similar degree of accuracy in long pipelines such as those used on the oil and gas industry are then assessed. A comparison of those requirements with ones that arise in everyday calculations in other industries is presented to show that with current advancements in computer technology and algorithm improvements, it is feasible to perform useful slug capturing calculations which could bring significant benefit to the oil and gas industry.