Experimental investigation of two-phase separation in a horizontal T-junction with vertical branch arm

Z. Q. Memon; W. Pao; F. Hashim; S. Ahmed

doi:10.15282/jmes.13.4.2019.14.0470

Authors

Z. Q. Memon Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
W. Pao Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
F. Hashim Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
S. Ahmed Department of Education, Sukkur IBA University, Airport Road Sukkur, Sindh Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.13.4.2019.14.0470

Keywords:

Gas-liquid separation; T-junction; slug flow; diameter ratio effect; superficial phases’ velocities., Gas-liquid separation, T-junction, slug flow, diameter ratio effect, superficial phases’ velocities

Abstract

T-junctions are commonly used in offshore platforms and process industry. When two-phase flow passes through T-junction, separation of two-phases takes place. This separation of two-phase flow through T-junction produces high liquid carry-over in the branch arm, causing breakdown of downstream equipment. In this experimental study, phase separation data have been obtained for air-water mixture flow through dividing T-junction with a pipe diameter of 74 mm and the branch arm is positioned vertically upward. T-junctions with diameter ratios of 1, 0.67, 0.5, and 0.27 were tested in the slug flow regime. The superficial velocities of air (J_G1) were varied 0.20 - 1.16 m/s and inlet water superficial velocities (J_L1) were varied 0.40-0.53 m/s. The extraction ratio between branch arm and main arm (W₃/W₁) was varied between 0 to 1. It was observed that the phase separation efficiency of T-junction depends upon the diameter ratio, upstream superficial velocities of both phases - air and water. Finally, the experimental data have been compared against the predicted results obtained from the numerical correlations.

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