The Multiphase Flow Technology Laboratory serves fundamental studies related to transport of oil-water-gas mixtures in pipes. Several test sections (3-6 cm I.D., 17 long, 7 m high) are instrumented with impedance probes, pressure censors and moving camera for characterization of steady and transient flow conditions.
The loop is automated and is now possible to operate through a web site (NetLab).
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Flow loop specifications |
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Test section |
Acrylic, 6 cm I.D., 16 m long, max +15° inclination |
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S-Riser |
Acrylic 5 cm I.D., 7 m high |
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Fluids |
Air (0.5 - 30 m/s) |
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Water (0.02 - 2 m/s) |
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Oil (0.02-2 m/s) |
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Pressure |
Atmospheric conditions |
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Instrumentation |
Impedance ring probes, absolute and dP pressure transducers |
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Configurations |
1) Straight pipe, acrylic and transparent
2) Straight pipe, steel
3) S-riser, acrylic, transparent
4) L-riser, acrylic transparent
5) Flexible pipes for hilly terrain experiments
6) Pigging experiments |
A transportable mini-loop is available for flow visualization. The mini-lop is a useful instrument for student exercises, and for demonstrations during lectures.
| Mini loop specifications |
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Dimension |
length 3 m, 1.5 high |
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Pipe |
Flexible hose to configure to all possible cases |
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Fluids |
Air |
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Water |
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Components |
Compressor, Pump, Liquid tank, Gas-liquid separator. |
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Pressure |
Atmospheric conditions |
The laboratory was constructed in year 2001, and the following types of experiments have been made:
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Characterization of unstable flow in S-shaped risers
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Pigging in stagnant and flowing systems
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Flow regime transitions, hysteresis effects
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Oil-water and oil-water-air flows
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Shut-down and startup transients
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Unstable well flows
The laboratory has gained status as Marie Curie Training Site. |
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