Vertical Multiphase Flow

Vertical Multiphase Flow

Instructional Objectives

1. List the 3 components of pressure loss

for multiphase flow in vertical pipe.
2. Define liquid holdup.
3. Define and calculate critical rate to
remove liquids.
Pressure Loss in Inclined Pipe

h

After Brown, Technology of Artificial Lift Methods, Vol 4, p. 71

 Pressure Loss Components

dP g f m  m vm
2
 m vm dvm
  m sin   
dZ tot g c 2 gc d g c dZ

Elevation
Friction

Acceleration
Liquid Holdup

VL
HL 
Vg VL  Vg

 m  H L  L  1  H L  g
VL
 Critical Rate To Lift Liquid

• Most gas wells produce some liquids

• Liquids may be
– Vaporized in reservoir gas
– Free liquid in reservoir
• Liquids will accumulate if not lifted to surface
• Accumulated liquids will reduce productivity
• For a given set of conditions, there is a
minimum flow rate to lift liquids
Models for Liquid Transport

Continuous film model Entrained drop model

 Critical Velocity

 

  L  g
vt  1.912
14

14


  g
12


Critical Rate

3060 pvt A
qc 
Tz