CFD Modelling Of Severe Slugging In Pipeline-Riser System

This work presents a numerical study on severe slugging and slug mitigation in a pipeline-riser system. Experiment and CFD modelling were performed on the 4" pipeline-riser system with a 55 m long pipeline followed by a 10.5 m high catenary riser at Cranfield University. The CFD model was developed and solved in Fluent. The model predictions of flow regime transition and slug frequency were compared with experimental data and those of OLGA model. The slug movement was described based on the predicted liquid holdup traces at different locations of the system. Slug mitigation methods such as increasing back pressure and choking riser outlet valve were simulated with the CFD model. Satisfactory agreement with the experimental data shows the validity of the proposed model.