Experiments were performed with propose of mapping the flow patterns in two-phase flow in an upward inclinable 60 mm ID and 6 m long Plexiglas pipe. Air and viscous oil were used as working fluids and degree of inclination changed from 10 ? to 78 ?. Measurements includes pressure drop. Flow regime were recorded with high speed video cameras. Experimental results were compared with existing models by Barnea (1987) and with a commercial dynamic multiphase flow simulator (OLGA7.3®). Predictions with unified model had acceptable agreement with experimental data.
The need of understanding two-phase gas-liquid flow has been increasing in the recent years, as well as the need of a technical solution for handling and controlling the flow behaviour. A correct prediction of multiphase flow dynamics is critical for the design of pipelines for deep-water riser and production tubing in offshore oil and gas field development, where parameters as pressure drop and liquid holdup are strongly dependent on the flow pattern. Generally, flow pattern in gas-liquid system can exist in a wide variety of forms, depending on the flow rate, physical properties of the phases, the geometry and inclination of the tube (McQuillan and Whalley, 1985).