EVALUATION OF METHODS DESCRIBING THE FLOW OF GAS-LIQUID MIXTURE IN WELLS

The simultaneous gas-liquid flow in pipes has been subjected to invest igation over a long period of time. Results of this endeavour are of a general interest to petroleum, chemical and nuclear industries. Numer ous empirical correlations have been proposed to estimate the pressure drop and the liquid holdup for the flow of gas-liquid mixtures. Only a few of these correlations are currently being used. Attempts are con tinuously being made to develop methods based on the fundamental physi cal principles. Recently, Ansari et al. published a comprehensive mech anistic model which describes the hydrodynamics of gas-liquid flow in horizontal and vertical pipes. The purpose of this study is to compare the individual performances of the selected correlations and models w ith data obtained from both the field and laboratory sources. Most of the field data were for the annular mist flow. For the conditions cons idered, the methods based on the mechanistic concept were found to per form better than methods which are strictly of the empirical nature.