Applicability of Slug Flow Models to Heavy Oils

New slug flow data and closure relationships for heavy oils have recently become available in the literature for both horizontal and vertical flow. This laboratory data allows the testing of current modeling technology to understand what modeling gaps must be addressed and where more data is needed. Comparisons of the data with typical one-dimensional slug flow models were performed at conditions where the liquid flow in the liquid slug is either laminar, transition or weakly turbulent flow. The closure relationships such as distribution parameter, drift velocity, and holdup in liquid slug are discussed along with the impact of these choices.