Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.16, No.2, 184-191, 2008
Prediction of pressure gradient and holdup in small Eotvos number liquid-liquid segregated flow
The segregated flow pattern, which occurs in a 26.1 mm diameter, horizontal, stainless steel test section, is investigated. Pressure gradient and in situ phase distribution data were obtained for different combinations of phase superficial velocities ranging from 0.05 m.s(-1) to 0.96 m.s(-1). For the current small Eotvos number liquid-liquid system (Eo(D)=4.77), the dominant effect of interfacial, tension and wall-wetting properties of the liquids over the gravity is considered. The approach introduces the closure relationship for the case of turbulent flow in a rough pipe, and attempts to modify the two-fluid model to account for the curved interface. In present flow rates range, wave amplitudes were found small, while interfacial mixing was observed. An adjustable definition for hydraulic diameters of two fluids and interfacial friction factor is adopted. The predicted pressure gradient and in situ phase distribution data have been compared with present experimental data and those reported in the literature.