Simulations of intermittent two-phase flows in pipes using smoothed particle hydrodynamics. (30th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Douillet-Grellier, Thomas; De Vuyst, Florian; Calandra, Henri; Ricoux, Philippe
• Is Part Of: Computers & fluids. Volume 177(2018)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2018-11-30
• Subjects: SPH -- Multiphase -- Slug -- Boundary conditions; Fluid dynamics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 532.050285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compfluid.2018.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-7930

Abstract

Highlights: Validation of SPH inlet/outlet boundary conditions for two-phase flows. SPH simulations of flow regimes predicted by Taitel and Dukler's flow regime map. Study of four transition processes from one flow pattern to the other. Two examples of applied cases with high density and viscosity ratios. Abstract: Slug flows are a typical intermittent two-phase flow pattern that can occur in submarine pipelines connecting the wells to the production facility and that is known to cause undesired consequences. In this context, computational fluid dynamics appears to be the tool of choice to understand their formation. However, few direct numerical simulations of slug flows are available in the literature, especially using meshless methods which are known to be capable of handling complex problems involving interfaces. In this work, a 2D study of the instability processes leading to the formation of intermittent flows in pipes is conducted using an existing multiphase smoothed particle hydrodynamics formulation associated with inlet and outlet boundary conditions. This paper aims to demonstrate the applicability of smoothed particle hydrodynamics to a given set of close-to-industry cases. First, we check the ability of our implementation to reproduce flow regimes predicted by Taitel and Duckler's flow map. Then, we focus on the transition processes from one flow pattern to the other. Finally, we present the results obtained for more realistic cases with high density and viscosity ratios.