Chapter 6: Multiphase Flow Through Restrictions and Piping Components
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Published:2017
"Multiphase Flow Through Restrictions and Piping Components", Applied Multiphase Flow in Pipes and Flow Assurance: Oil and Gas Production, Eissa M. Al-Safran, James P. Brill
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Multiphase flow through surface and subsurface restrictions is a common occurrence in oil and gas production systems. When a fluid flows through a restriction, the flow converges as a result of the sudden reduction in flow area and/or a change in pipe geometry. This occurs when a fluid flows through flowmeters, velocity-controlled subsurface safety valves, tubing centralizers, piping components (e.g., valves, elbows, reducers), and wellhead chokes. For a safe and controlled oil and gas production system, it is necessary to predict the two-phase flow behavior of produced fluids through restrictions and piping components. In this chapter, we present a simple approach for single-phase, homogeneous, and nonhomogeneous two-phase flow across wellhead chokes. First, we provide a conceptual description of single-phase fluid flow behavior and the critical/subcritical flow regime boundary for wellhead chokes. Then, using both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous modeling approaches, we show how to predict the two-phase critical/subcritical flow regime boundary. Calculation of flow rate through restrictions using empirical and theoretical approaches is presented on the basis of the previously predicted flow regimes. Finally, there is a brief section on flow through piping components. We present working examples to illustrate the solution procedures.
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