Low Liquid Loading Experiments: Effect of Aqueous MEG and Real Hydrocarbon Gas (Over Model Gas) on Pressure Drop

Two phase low liquid loading experiments have been conducted in Equinor's three-inch high pressure multiphase flow loop in horizontal orientation. Model gas (N₂) and natural gas (hydrocarbon) are used as gaseous phases. Tap water, salt water, and aqueous MEG (90 wt%) were used as the liquid phases. Both pressure drop and liquid holdup measurements have been performed. The experiments have been carried out for a variety of superficial gas and liquid velocities, and system pressures. It is observed that natural gas systems experience a higher pressure drop after adding tiny liquid quantities than model gas systems. The entrainment of liquid droplets in real natural gas systems is higher than in model gas systems. As entrainment increases, more droplets will be deposited on the walls. Deposited droplets on the wall increase the frictional pressure losses by acting as roughness elements. The effect of aqueous MEG on the pressure drop is also compared in these experiments. The presence of MEG inevitably increases the pressure drop and liquid holdup. When MEG is presented in the aqueous phase, the liquid film is laminar for the lowest liquid loading conditions based on the calculated values of liquid film Reynolds number.