CFD and experimental approach on three phase gas-liquid-solid Newtonian fluid flow in horizontal pipes

Abstract

This study analyses three dimensional fluid flow through horizontal pipelines with three-phase gasliquid-solid Newtonian fluids by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. Validating the simulation with experimental data, the study aims to develop a versatile acceptable simulation model that can be used further for different applied cases. An experimental setup is developed in our laboratory to determine slug flow (air-water) through a horizontal pipeline. Air as gas, water as liquid and silica as solid particle is used in this work. ANSYS Fluent version 16.2 is employed to perform the simulation. The Eulerian multiphase model with the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) turbulence closure is adopted to analyse multiphase fluid flow. Parameters are selected from experimental works to validate the simulation. After a good agreement with experimental data, sensitivity analysis is conducted to observe the three phase fluid flow characteristics through horizontal flow. Pressure gradient (pressure drop per unit length) and in situ concentration profile are used as primary parameters. This article provides a clear relationship between the different parameters of three-phase fluid flow through a horizontal pipeline.