Flujo en Tuberia

Incompressible Fully Developed Flow in Pipes
• Lets consider first a pipe with axis OZ. The unitary vector along
the pipe axis is nz. Any cross section of the pipe is identified by a
coordinate z on axis OZ.
• The pipe has a constant diameter. Lets now focus on a section A
of this pipe. The intersection of the pipe with this section, defines
a line Sw .
• The pipe has a certain inclination with the the horizontal direction.
Positive angles indicate vertical upward flow. Negative angles
indicate vertical downward flow. Zero angle indicates horizontal
flow.
• Remember also that the definition of viscosity involves the
velocity gradient and the shear caused by the lower coordinate
layer to the upper coordinate layer. So at the wall we have
dVz
τ fluid onto wall = τ fw = − µ =τw τ wall onto fluid = −τ fw = −τ w
dy
Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Geometry
Sw z
r z
gz
Ap r
r g
nz r r
g z = − g sin(α ) α
r
g z = − g sin(α )
Geometry
Sw
z
−τ w P + dP
r
gz
Ap
P
q
dz
r
nz

• We are going now to do a macroscopic force balance on the fluid
element:
PA − ( P + dp ) Ap + ρ g z Ap dz − τ w S w dz = 0
dP Sw
= ρ g z −τ w
dz Ap

dP Sw
= ρ g z −τ w
dz Ap
Total Pressure Gradient
Gravitational Pressure Gradient
Frictional Pressure Gradient
dP dP dP
= +
dz total dz gravity dz friction

dP Sw
= ρ g z −τ w
dz Ap
g z = − g sin(α )
dV
τ w = −µ
dr r = rp
dP S w dV
= − ρ g sin(α ) + µ
dz Ap dr r = rp

dP dP dP
= +
dP
= − ρ g sin(α )
dz gravity
dP S w S w dV
= −τ w = µ
dz friction Ap Ap dr r = rp
• We can see that the gravitational pressure drop is easily calculated

• We can also see that the frictional pressure drop will depend actually on
the velocity profile inside the pipe.

Laminar Flow
• For certain conditions, the velocity profile inside the pipe will follow the
parabolic profile that we obtained by using the Newtons Law of viscosity
in pipes.
• Under those conditions, the layers of fluids slide over each other.
• This flow regime is called laminar flow.
• If a particle is injected at the intake of the pipe it will follow a straigth line.
V (r )
Particles Path

Laminar Flow
• So finally for laminar flow we have
dP dP dP
= +
dP 128µ q
= − ρ g sin(α ) −
dz total π d p4
psi/ft cp
bbl/d
dP µq
= −0.433γ sin(α ) − 7.9628 10 −6 4
dz total dp
in

Turbulent Flow
• For certain conditions, the velocity profile
inside the pipe will not be able to keep the
parabolic profile that we obtained by using the
Newtons Law of viscosity in pipes.
• Mainly the reason for this is that the flow
becomes turbulent.
V (r )

Turbulent Flow

Turbulent Flow
• The main reason for turbulence is the perturbation of the flow of
fluids near the surface defects on the pipe wall.
• The effect of turbulence is that fluid particles “jump” from one
location to the other “homogenizing” the velocity profile.
• The velocity profile in turbulent flow tends to be a flat profile.
• Particles injected in the stream will not follow straight streamlines.
V (r )

Turbulent Flow
• The transition between laminar and turbulent flow is very important

in determining the pressure gradient in the pipe.
• Notice that in order to calculate the pressure gradient we must
have the derivative of the velocity profile at the wall.
• The transition between laminar and turbulent flow is going to be
governed by the fluid viscosity, pipe diameter and fluid flowrate or
average velocity.
• We will come back to this point later.
V (r )
Particles Path

Turbulent Flow
• The pressure gradient is still obtained with the following equations.
• The frictional pressure gradient can not be obtained using Newton Law of
Viscosity since the flow is no longer laminar.
• If we know the tubulent velocity profile we can obtain a new expression
for the turbulent frictional losses.
dP dP dP
= +
dP
= − ρ g sin(α )
dz gravity
dP S w dV
= µ
dz friction Ap dr r = rp

Turbulent Flow
• There are several ways we could attack this problem:
– Model the velocity profile under turbulent flow conditions and find either
analytical or numerical solutions !!!!
– Since the velocity profile has been verified to be very flat under turbulent flow
we can seek a profile based on experimental work.
– Try to conduct experimental work to determine the relationship between the
variables without the need of determining a profile. Dimensional analysis
should be used in this phase.
dP S w dV
= µ

Turbulent Flow Velocity Profile
• One of the correlations obtained based on experimental data is know as
the 1/7 power law.
1
⎛ r⎞ 7
V = Vmax ⎜⎜1 − ⎟⎟
⎝ rw ⎠
• The average velocity in the pipe can be obtained by:
rw rw
∫ 2 π r V dr 2 ∫ r V dr
V = 0
rw
= 0
rw2
∫ 2 π r dr
0

• The average velocity in the pipe can be obtained by:
1
⎛ r⎞
rw
7
2 ∫ r Vmax ⎜⎜1 − ⎟⎟ dr
V = 0 ⎝ rw ⎠
rw2
1
⎛ r⎞
rw 7
2Vmax
V =
rw2 ∫
0
r ⎜⎜1 − ⎟⎟ dr
⎝ rw ⎠
1 rw
2V ⎛ r⎞ 7 ⎛ 49rw2 7 rw r 56r 2 ⎞
V = max ⎜⎜1 − ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ − − + ⎟⎟
rw2 ⎝ rw ⎠ ⎝ 120 120 120 ⎠
0
2 Vmax 49rw2 49
V = 2 = Vmax
rw 120 60

• The turbulent velocity profile then becomes.
1
60 ⎛ r⎞ 7
1 V= V ⎜⎜1 − ⎟⎟
r 0.8
49 ⎝ rw ⎠
rw 0.6 Turbulent
0.4
0.2
⎛ ⎛ r ⎞2 ⎞
V = V ⎜1 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎟
0
⎜ ⎝ rw ⎠ ⎟
-0.2 ⎝ ⎠
-0.4 Laminar
-0.6
-0.8 Average Velocity

-1 V
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 V

Dimensional Analysis
• This turbulent velocity profile based on experimental data gives a
reasonable aproximation of the shape of the actual velocity profile in the
core region of the pipe.
• Observe however that the velocity profile should be flat on the middle of
the pipe and this is not followed by the velocity profile correlation.
• Also this equation is not accurate enough to give a reasonable
aproximation for the velocity gradient at the wall. This information is
crucial for the determination of the frictional pressure gradients.
• There are other correlations based on experimental data that better
describes the flow field close to the wall. Those correlations can be used
to obtain the velocity gradient and then the friction losses in turbulent flow.
• Another approach would be to conduct experiments bassed on a
dimensionless analysis of the mass and momentum balance equations
dP S w dV
= µ
rp
1
V =
Ap ∫ 2 π rVdr
0

Dimensional Analysis - Introduction
• The axial pressure gradient in pipes should be a function of the

following variables.
– Flowrate
– Fluid density
– Fluid viscosity
– Pipe diameter
– Pipe roughness
• Those are just too many variable to be treated independently in an
experimental campaign.
• We need to seek if any combination of those variables can reduce
the complexity of the problem.

• As an introduction we will examine the frictional pressure gradient
equations for flow in pipes (laminar and turbulent).
dP 2 π rp dV
= µ
dz friction π rp2 dr r = rp
rp
1
V = 2
π rp ∫ 2 π rVdr
0
• In order to seek a dimensionless form for this equation we need to define scaling
factors for the variables.
• We must first recognize what units are involved in this equation
– Length (distance and area)
– Time (combine with length gives us velocity and acceleration)
– Mass (combined with acceleration and area gives us pressure)
• So in theory those are the three reference units we need. They are not very
convenient since we do not have mass and time as explicit variables in the
equation.
• We seek then a new set of units consistent with the required one but more
convenient to our problem
– Length
– Velocity
– Pressure

• Lets denote the reference values as:
L ∞ V ∞ P∞
• Using those reference values we can obtain the dimensionless

variables and operators:
r z P V V
rd = zd = Pd = Vd = Vd =
L∞ L∞ P∞ V∞ V∞
• And the pressure gradient equation and the mass balance equation
become:
rp
2 π rp 1
dP
dz
=
πr 2
µ
dV
dr
V = 2
π rp ∫ 2 π rVdr
0
friction p r = rp
rp d
2
P∞ dPd V 2 dVd
= ∞2 µ
Vd =
rpd2 ∫
0
rdVd drd
L∞ dz d friction
L∞ rpd drd rd = rpd
rp d
2
dPd
=
V∞ 2 dVd
µ Vd = 2
rpd ∫ rdVd drd
dz d friction
P∞ L∞ rpd drd rd = rpd
0

• We can now define what the scaling factors are.
• This is an arbitrary choice and we will select the ones that convenient
for the problem
• For instance the “natural” scaling factor for length seems to be the pipe
diameter. Then we have:
L∞ = d p
0.5
Vd = 8 ∫ rdVd drd
dPd V dV
= ∞ 4µ d
dz d friction
P∞ d p drd rd = 0.5 0
• The “natural” scaling factor for velocity seems to be the fluid average
velocity
4q
V∞ = =V
π d2
0 .5
dPd
=
V dV
4µ d 1 = 8 ∫ rdVd drd
dz d friction
P∞ d p drd rd = 0.5 0

• For the pressure,it seems that there is no “natural” candidate for scaling
factor so we will chose an arbitrary definition:
1
P∞ = ρV 2
dPd µ dVd 0 .5
=8 1 = 8 ∫ rdVd drd
dz d friction
ρ V d p drd rd = 0.5 0
• We can now define the Reynolds number as:
ρ Vd p
Re =
µ

• The mass and momentum balance equation then becomes the
following system
⎧ dPd 8 dVd
⎪ =
⎪ dzd friction Re drd rd = 0.5
⎨ 0 .5
⎪ 1
⎪∫ d d d 8
r V dr =
⎩0
• This is a system on 2 equations and 2 unknows, namely the
dimensionless frictional pressure gradient and the dimensional velocity
profile.
• We notice that this system only involves the dimensionless varialbes
and the Reynolds number.
• Since the dimensionless boundary for velocity is known at the pipe wall
and since the pipe wall has a roughness we can say that the boundary
condition for this problem is function of the dimensionless roughness
and as a consequence the solution of the problem can be expressed
as:
dPd ⎛ ε ⎞⎟ ⎛ ε ⎞
⎜
= f Re, Vd (rd ) = g Re, , rd ⎟
⎜
dz d ⎜ d p ⎟⎠ ⎜ dp ⎟
friction ⎝ ⎝ ⎠
• This is a very important fact.
• The dimensionless pressure gradient is called friction factor
• The friction factor is only a function of Reynolds and relative roughness
• The friction factor now can be easily determined experimentally since
we just need to do experiments changing
– Reynolds Number
– Relative roughness
• Once we obtain experimentally the friction factor as a function of the
Reynolds number and relative roughness, this funciton is generic.
• The actual pressure gradient can be determined from the friction factor
by using the definition of the dimensionless variables
dPd ⎛ ε ⎞
= f ⎜ Re, ⎟
dz d ⎜ d p ⎟⎠
friction ⎝
dP 1 ρ V 2 dPd 1 ρ V 2 ⎛⎜ ε ⎞⎟
= = f Re,
dz 2 d dz d 2 d ⎜ d p ⎟⎠
friction friction ⎝

• Those experimenst have been conducted by several researches.

• The results are expressed in a friction factor graph.
• The one we will use in this course it the Moody friction factor
dPd ⎛ ε ⎞
= f Moody ⎜ Re, ⎟
dz d ⎜ d p ⎟⎠
friction ⎝
dP 1 ρV 2 ⎛ ε ⎞
= f Moody ⎜ Re, ⎟
dz 2 d ⎜ d p ⎟⎠
friction ⎝

Moody Friction Factor Relative
Laminar Critical Zone Transition Complete Turbulent Roughness
0.10
ε 3500
ε
0.09 =
0.08 d Re d
0.07 0.05
0.06
Moody Friction Factor
0.05 0.02
0.015
0.04 0.010
0.006
0.03
0.002
0.02 0.001
0.0006
0.0002
Smooth Pipe
0.0001
0.00005
0.01
102 103 104 105 106 107 108

Reynolds Number
• Several regions exists in this graph
– Laminar Region
• This is the region for Reynolds Number smaller than 2100.
• The flow is laminar and the friction factor can be obtained using Newton Law of
Viscosity
64
f Moody =
Re
– Critical Region
• For Reynolds Number between 2100 and 4000 the flow can be either laminar or
turbulent depending on several factors such as changes in cross section,
direction of flow, obstructions, vibrations. This region is called critical region
– Transition Region
• For Reynolds Number above 4000 the flow is turbulent. The friction factor
depends on the Reynolds number and also on the rougheness of the wall.
– Complete Turbulent
• For certain Reynolds Numbers, the flow becomes fully turbulent and the friction
factor is only function of the roughness of the wall. This region is called
Complete Turbulent regime and the criteria for it to occur is:
ε 3500
=
d Re
• The pipe wall roughness depends on the material and the
quality of the finishing of the internal surface as well as
past operating conditions.
• Just as a reference we have the values of the roughness
Material ε ( ft )
Plastic or Glass 0
Riveted Steel 0.003 - 0.03
Concrete 0.001 – 0.01
Cast Iron 0.00085
Dirty Well Tubing 0.00075
Galvanized Iron 0.0005
Asphalted Cast Iron 0.0004
Commercial Steel 0.00015
Drawn Tubing 0.00005
• Several equations were develloped for the friction factor
• Colebrook (Iterative and not valid for Laminar Flow)

1 ⎛ 2ε 18.7 ⎞
= 1.74 − 2 log⎜ + ⎟
⎜ d Re f ⎟
f ⎝ ⎠
• Zigrang and Sylvester (not valid for Laminar Flow)
1 ⎛ ε / d 5.02 ⎛ ε / d 13 ⎞ ⎞
= −2 log⎜⎜ − log⎜ + ⎟ ⎟⎟
f ⎝ 3. 7 Re ⎝ 3.7 Re ⎠⎠
• Drew, Koo and McAdams (Smooth Pipe – Reynolds from 3 103 to 3 106)
f = 0.0056 + 0.5 Re −0.32

• Blasius (Smooth Pipe – Reynolds from 3 103 to 105)
f = 0.316 Re −0.25
• Nikuradse (Complete Turbulent Regime)
1 ⎛ 2ε ⎞
= 1.74 − 2 log⎜ ⎟
f ⎝ d ⎠
• Churchill 1977 developped a correlation to be used to
estimate the friction factor across the whole range of
Reynolds Number.
1
⎡ 8 12 ⎤ 12
⎛ ⎞ 1
f moody = 8 ⎢⎜ ⎟ + ⎥
⎢⎝ Re ⎠ ( ) ⎥
3
⎣ A + B 2 ⎦
16
⎡ ⎤
⎢ ⎥ 16
A = ⎢2.457 ln
1 ⎥ ⎛ 37530 ⎞
⎢
B=⎜ ⎟
⎛ ε ⎞⎥
0.9
⎛ 7 ⎞ ⎝ Re ⎠
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ + 0.27⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎣ ⎝ Re ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

• Another interpretation of Churchill formulas is given below.
They are equivalent to the original formulation.
1
⎡ ⎛
12
⎞ ⎤ 12
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
= ⎢( f laminar ) + ⎜
1
⎟ ⎥
12
f moody
8 1/ 8
⎢ ⎜⎛ ⎛ ⎞ ⎞⎟ ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎜
⎜ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎜
8
1 ⎟ ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎜
⎜ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ + ⎜ ⎟ ⎟ ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎜
⎜ ⎜ ⎝ critical ⎠ ⎜ turbulent
f f ⎟ ⎟ ⎟ ⎥
⎝ and transition ⎠ ⎟
⎢⎣ ⎝⎝ ⎠ ⎠ ⎥⎦
64 8
f laminar = f turbulent = 2
Re and transition ⎡ ⎛ ⎞⎤
⎢ ⎜ ⎟⎥
2 ⎢2.457 ln⎜ 1 ⎟⎥
⎛ Re ⎞ ⎢ ⎜ ⎟⎥
= 8⎜ ⎟ ε
0.9
f critical ⎜ ⎛ ⎞
7 ⎟⎟⎥
⎝ 37530 ⎠ ⎢ ⎜ ⎜ Re ⎟ + 0. 27
⎢⎣ ⎝⎝ ⎠ d ⎠⎥⎦
Summary of Single Phase Flow in Pipes
• The flow regime in pipes is determined by the Reynolds Number.

ρ V dp
Re =
µ
• The pressure gradient in the pipe is given by:
dP f Moody ρ V V
= − ρ g sin(α ) −
dz 2 dp
• The moody friction factor is:

1
⎡ 8 12 ⎤ 12
⎛ ⎞ 1
f Moody = 8 ⎢⎜ ⎟ + ⎥
⎢⎝ Re ⎠ ( A + B ) 2 ⎥⎦
3
⎣
16
⎡ ⎤
⎢ ⎥ 16
A = ⎢2.457 ln
1 ⎥ ⎛ 37530 ⎞
⎢
B=⎜ ⎟
⎛ ε ⎞⎥
0. 9
⎛ 7 ⎞ ⎝ Re ⎠
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ + 0. 27 ⎜ ⎟⎥
⎣ ⎝ Re ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

• The Reynolds Number then becomes.

4ρ q
Re =
µπ dp
• To account for the proper units we have:
bbl/d
lb/ft3 bbl/d
ρq γq
Re = 1.4775
in Re = 92.2 in
µ dp µ dp
cp
cp

• The moody friction factor is:
1
⎡ 8 12 ⎤ 12
⎛ ⎞ 1
f Moody = 8 ⎢⎜ ⎟ + ⎥
⎢⎝ Re ⎠ ( ) ⎥
3
⎣ A + B 2 ⎦
16
⎡ ⎤
⎢ ⎥ 16
⎛ 37530 ⎞
A = ⎢2.457 ln
1 ⎥ B=⎜ ⎟
⎢ ⎛ 7 ⎞
0.9
⎛ ε ⎞⎥ ⎝ Re ⎠
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ + 0.27⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎣ ⎝ Re ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

dP ρ q2
= − ρ g sin(α ) − 8 f Moody 2 5
dz π dp

lb/ft3 bbl/d
psi/ft
dP ρ q2
= −0.433γ sin(α ) − 1.8383 10 f Moody 5
−7
dz dp
in
psi/ft bbl/d
dP γ q2
= −0.433γ sin(α ) − 1.1471 10 f Moody 5
−5
dz dp
in

Single Phase Flow in Pipes
0.05
Frictional Pressure Gradient (psi/ft)
µ = 1 cp γ
0.04
ε = 0.00015 ft 1.2
d p = 2 in 1.0
0.03
0.8
0.02
0.01
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Flowrate (bpd)

0.05
µ
γ =1
0.04 5.0
ε = 0.00015 ft
d p = 2 in 2.0
0.03
1.0
0.02
0.01
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Flowrate (bpd)

0.05 0.0015
µ = 1 cp
0.04
γ =1
0.03
d p = 2 in 0.00015
0
0.02 ε
0.01
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Flowrate (bpd)

0.05 1.75
µ = 1 cp
0.04
γ =1
0.03
ε = 0.00015 ft 2.00
0.02
2.25
0.01 dp
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Flowrate (bpd)

Two Phase Flow
• The simultaneous flow of two phases of fluids

is very common in the oil industry.
• It occurs in oil wells, gas wells, injection wells
and production lines.
• In some cases, we might even have the
simultaneous flow of oil, gas and water. In
some instances we might also have the flow of
several fluid phases and a solid one such as
sand or hydrate.

Two Phase Flow
• In two phase flow, the spatial distribution of the
phases inside the pipe play an extremly
important role in the determination of the
pressure drop and flow characteristics.
• The spatial distribution of the phases, or flow
pattern, is also a strong function of the
orientation of the pipe in relation to the
gravitational field.
• The effects of the spatial distribtution of the
phases will affect:
– Phase velocities
– Pressure gradients

Two Phase Flow
• In order to illustrate some important
phenomena that occurs in two phase flow, lets
focus on the following problem of two phase
flow in pipes:
– Known imput volumetric flowrates of liquid and
gas
– No phase change
– Steady state
– Incompressible phases.
• Lets now examine this problem

Two Phase Flow
Ap
qg
ql
• The input volumetric fraction of each phase is defined

by:
qg ql
λg = λl =
q g + ql q g + ql
• The total mixture volumetric flowrate is given by:
qm = q g + ql

Two Phase Flow
Ap
qg
ql
• The superficial velocity of each phase is define as the

velocity each phase would have if flowing alone in the
pipe:
qg ql
Vsg = Vsl =
Ap Ap
• The total mixture velocity is:

q g + ql
Vm = Vsg + Vsl =
Ap
Two Phase Flow
• Since this is a steady state problem, we expect the
flowrates at the exit to be the same as the flowrates at
the entrance of the pipe.
Ap
qg qg
ql ql
• Moreover, the flowrate at any location in the pipe

should be the same as the input flowrates of liquid and
gas.

Two Phase Flow
• Since the inlet and outlet flowrates for each individual
phase are the same, we expect that the phase imput
and output volumetric fractions should be the same.
qg qg
ql qg
ql
λg =
q g + ql
ql
λl =
q g + ql
λg + λl = 1

Two Phase Flow
• What about the volumetric fractions of the pipe itself
occupied by each phaes. Should they be equal or
different than the input and outlet volumetric fractions ?
• In order to measure this in-situ volumetric fractions inside
the pipe we can install two quick-closing valves to trap
the fluids as they flow inside the pipe. After this we can
measure the volumetric fractions of the fluids between
the valves.
qg qg
ql ql
Quick-closing valves

Two Phase Flow
• This experiment has been conducted and the result
was:
qg qg
ql ql
• The volumetric fraction of the fluids under flowing conditions was

different than the inlet and outlet volumetric fractions.
• This experiment has been repeated under several conditions of
flow rates, pipe inclination, etc... And the result is that in general
the actual volumetric fraction of the fluids under flowing conditions
is different than the inlet or outlet volumetric fractions.

Two Phase Flow
• The actual fraction of the pipe cross section

area (or the actual volumetric fraciton of a small
pipe segment) occupied by a phase is different
than the ratio of the phase volumetric flowrate
and the total volumetric flowrate.
• Is this a surprise ?
• It was supposed to be a steady state problem.
Is liquid or gas being accumulated in the pipe ?
• Is this consistent with the mass balance
equation ?

Two Phase Flow
• For this reason different nomenclature needs to be
adopted to describe volumetric fractions:
– λ for inlet or outlet volumetric fractions
– α for actual flowing conditions volumetric fractions
qg qg
ql ql
λg =
qg
αg λg =
qg
q g + ql q g + ql
ql
αl ql
λl = λl =
q g + ql q g + ql
α g + αl = 1

Two Phase Flow
• Lets review some of the nomenclature and how those variables
are related to the mass and momentum balance equations.
• Lets start with the superficial (liquid or gas velocities).
• The superficial phase velocity is the velocity the phase would
have if it was flowing alone in the pipe.
• The superficial phase velocity is an indirect measurement of the
phase volumetric flowrate.
qg ql
Vsg = Vsl =
Ap Ap
• The mixture volumetric flowrate is defined as the sum of the liquid

and gas superficial velocities
q g + ql
Vm = Vsg + Vsl =
Ap
• The phases inlet volumetric fractions are defined as:
qg ql
λg = λl =
q g + ql q g + ql

Two Phase Flow
• In reality the phases are not flowing alone in the pipeline and
each phase will ocupy a certain part of the pipeline cross section
area or the pipeline volume.
• The area occupied by the phase will change the actual phase
velocity inside the pipeline.
• For a constant phase volumetric flowrate, the bigger the area or
volume that the phase occupies, the smaller the phase velocity.
• For a constant phase volumetric flowrate, the smaller the area or
volume that the phase occupies, the bigger the phase velocity.
• For a certain phase volumetric flowrate (or phase superficial
velocity), the actual phase velocity in the pipeline is a function of
the cross section area that the phase occupies.
qg
λg = qg
q g + ql Vg =
Ag
qg
ql
ql
ql Vl =
λl = Al
q g + ql
Two Phase Flow
• The fraction of the pipe area used by each phase to
flow is given by the in situ volumetric void fraction α
qg qg
ql ql
qg Ag
λg = αg = qg
q g + ql Ap λg =
q g + ql
ql Al ql
λl = αl = λl =
q g + ql Ap q g + ql
• The actual velocities of the phases in the pipe are then:
qg Vsg ql V
Vg = = Vl = = sl
Ap α g αg Ap α l α l

Two Phase Flow
• We can see that for the same volumetric flowrate (same
superficial velocity), the actual phase velocity is a function of the
actual volumetric fraction occupied by the phase.
• An increase in the portion of the pipe occupied by a phase will
reduce the actual phase velocity
• A decrease in the portion of the pipe occupied by a phase will
increase the actual phase velocity
• So a very important conclusion is that the actual phase velocities
is linked to how the phases are arranged to occupy the pipe.
qg Vsg ql V
Vg = = Vl = = sl

Two Phase Flow
• What we need to remember is that the inlet phase volumetric
fraction is just a ratio of the phase flowrate to the mixture flowrate
• The actual volumetric fraction is the fraction of the pipe occupied
by the phase.
• Those values are not necessarily the same
• The inlet volumetric fraction is defined by the liquid and gas
flowrates or liquid and gas superficial velocities.
• The actual volumetric fraction is the result of the spatial
distribution of the phases and will also influence the phases
actual velocities.
qg ql
λg = λl =
q g + ql q g + ql
Flowrate fraction
Space fraction
Ag Al
αg = αl =
Ap Ap

Two Phase Flow
• What are the values for the phase velocities when the
actual phase fraction is equal to the inlet phase
fraction ?
qg ql
λg = λl =
q g + ql q g + ql
Vsg Vsl
λg = λl =
Vm Vm
qg Vsg ql V
Vg = = Vl = = sl
Vsg Vsl
Vg = Vl =
λg λl
Vg = Vm Vg = Vm
Vg = Vl = Vm
Two Phase Flow
• We can see that under those conditions, both phases
have the same velocities.
• The phase are flowing with the mixture velocity
• We say that the phases have no “slip”
• For that reason the value of the inlet phase fraction is
also called “no slip” phase fraction. And this is the
nomenclature we will adopt from this point on.
Vg = Vl = Vm
λg = α g
No slip phase fraction Phase fraction
λl = α l

Two Phase Flow
• We can see that the liquid and gas may travel actually at different
velocities inside the pipe. The actual phase velocities depends on
the void fraction that occurs for a certain condition.
• The difference between the gas and liquid velocity is called slip
velocity Vs:
qg Vsg ql V
Vg = = Vl = = sl
Vsg Vsl
Vs = Vg − Vl = −
αg αl

Two Phase Flow
• By using previous definitions we can get the slip
velocity Vs as:
Vsg Vsl
Vs = −
αg αl
qg ql
Vs = −
Ap α g Apα l
λg qm λl qm
Vs = −
Ap α g Apα l
qm ⎛ λg λl ⎞
Vs = ⎜ − ⎟
⎜α ⎟
Ap ⎝ g αl ⎠
⎛ λg λl ⎞
Vs = Vm ⎜ − ⎟
⎜α ⎟
⎝ g αl ⎠

Two Phase Flow
⎛ λg λl ⎞
Vs = Vm ⎜ − ⎟
⎜α ⎟
⎝ g αl ⎠
⎛ λg 1 − λg ⎞
Vs = Vm ⎜ − ⎟
⎜α ⎟
⎝ g 1−α g ⎠
⎛ λg (1 − α g ) − α g (1 − λg ) ⎞
Vs = Vm ⎜ ⎟
⎜
⎝ α g (1 − α g ) ⎟
⎠
⎛ λg − α g ⎞
Vs = Vm ⎜ ⎟
⎜ α (1 − α ) ⎟
⎝ g g ⎠
• We can see then that when the actual void fraction α is

equal to the intake void fraction λ ,Vs is zero.

Two Phase Flow
• For this reason the intake void fraction λ is also
called no-slip volumetric fraction as we said before.
• The volumetric fractions of the gas phase are also
called gas volumetric fraction or void fractions
λg αg
• The liquid volumetric fractions are called liquid

volumetric fractions or liquid hold-ups.
λl αl

Two Phase Flow
• It is interesting to stop now and try to understand why
the phases would arrange themselves in a pipe so that
one phase flows faster than the other.
• This can be easily understood with the simple example
of stratified flow of gas and liquid in a horizontal
pipeline.
• In this case the gas phase flows on top ot the liquid
phase. Each phase occupies a certain portion of the
pipeline cross section area.
Vsg Vsl
Vg = Vl =
αg αl
αg Vsg Vsl
λg = λl =
Vm
αl
Vm
λg λl
Vg = Vm Vl = Vm
αg αl

Two Phase Flow
• Lets assume that the actual phase fractions is equal to the no slip value.
• In this case the phases are flowing with the same average velocity equal
to the mixture velocity.
• A sample of the velocity profile along the pipeline cross section area is
shown below:
Vm = Vl = Vg
Velocity Profile
r
Gas Liquid Interface

Two Phase Flow
• Observe that the position of the interface will define not only the
gas and liquid phase fractions but several other geometric factors
such as the perimeter of the pipe wetted by each phase, the area
occupied by each phase and the length of the gas liquid interface.
Vm = Vl = Vg
S gw
Si
Velocity Profile
r
Ag
Al
S lw

Two Phase Flow
• We can now focus on the momentum balance equation for each
phase.
• The pressure gradient is the same for both phases, but the shear
stresses at the wall and the shear stress at the interface depends
on the fluid velocity profile at those locations.
τ gw Vm = Vl = Vg
S gw
Si
Velocity Profile
r
τi Gas Liquid Interface
P + dP Ag
P
−τ i
Al
P P + dP
τ lw S lw

Two Phase Flow
• The pressure drop can be obtained through the momentum
balance equation for each phase
• The interface position is the one that will cause the pressure
gradient to be the same on both phases.
dP dP
Ag = − τ gw S gw − τ i Si Al = − τ lw Slw + τ i Si
dz dz
Vm = Vl = Vg
Velocity Profile
r

Two Phase Flow
• From the momentum balance equation for each phase we obtain:
dP S gw S dP S S
= − τ gw −τ i i = − τ lw lw + τ i i
dz Ag Ag dz Al Al
• Observe that as we change the position of the interface, we also

change:
– The pipe perimeter wetted by the liquid phase
– The pipe perimeter wetted by the gas phase
– The perimeter of the interface
– The gas phase fraction
– The liquid phase fraction
– The shear stress at the interface (the shape of the velocity profile)
– The shear stress at the pipe wall for the gas phase
– The shear stress at the pipe wall for the liquid phase

Two Phase Flow λl λg
Vl = Vm Vg = Vm
αl αg
V m = Vl = V g
Velocity Profile S gw
r
Gas Liquid Interface Ag
Si
Al
S lw
Vm Vg
Velocity Profile S gw
r
Gas Liquid Interface Ag
Si
Al
Vl
S lw
Two Phase Flow
• The solution for the position of the interface is the one that satisfies
the equation:
S gw Si S S
− τ gw −τ i = −τ lw lw + τ i i
Ag Ag Al Al
• As the gas phase fraction decreases and the liquid phase fraction
increases we have:
– Reduction in the shear stress at the wall due to the liquid phase
– Increase in the shear stress at the wall due to the gas phase.
– Increase in the magnitude of the interface shear.
• The interface shear on the left hand side of the equation decreases
• The interface shear on the right hand side of the equation increases
• So finally the solution is that the interface will be located at a certain
position that satisfies the balance equation.
• We will notice that at this solution there is a slip between the phases
and usually for horizontal lines, the gas phase tends to flow at higher
velocities than the liquid phase.!!!

Two Phase Flow
• It is interesting to understand also the Pipe Axis

mechanism for the slippage between
liquid and gas in upward vertical flow. Ag
r Al
• Lets imagine we have upward g
annular flow in a pipe as shown in the
following picture
• Lets imagine that the velocity profile
is such that the gas core and the Gas Liquid Interface
liquid film have the same velocity
profile
• Neglecting the frictional losses at the
wall, a force balance on the gas and τi −τ i
liquid phases yields:
dP r
Ag = − ρ g g Ag − τ i Si
dz Vm = Vl = Vg
dP r
Al = − ρ l g Al + τ i Si
dz
τ gw τ lw

Two Phase Flow
• Then we have:
Pipe Axis
dP r S dP r S
= − ρ g g −τ i i = − ρl g + τ i i r
Ag
dz Ag dz Al g Al
• The difference in the values of gas and

liquid density needs to be balance by the
interface effect.
• Observe that as we change the position
of the interface, we also change:
– The perimeter of the interface τi −τ i
– The gas phase fraction
– The liquid phase fraction Vm = Vl = Vg
– The shear stress at the interface (the

shape of the velocity profile)
τ gw τ lw

Two Phase Flow
• The position of the intarface is the
solution to: Pipe Axis
Ag
⎛ Si Si ⎞ r r
τ i ⎜⎜ + ⎟⎟ = g (ρ l − ρ g ) g Al
⎝ Al Ag ⎠
• As the gas phase fraction decreases and

the liquid phase fraction increases we Gas Liquid Interface τi −τ i
have:
– Increase in the magnitude of the
interface shear.
• So finally the solution is that the interface Vg
will be located at a certain position that
satisfies the balance equation.
• We will notice that at this solution there is
a slip between the phases and usually for Vl
vertical upward flow, the gas phase tends
to flow at higher velocities than the liquid
phase.!!! τ gw τ lw

Two Phase Flow
b F
• A similar analysis can be conducted for the
upward vertical flow of gas bubbles in
liquids or liquid droplets in a gas core. r
g =−g
• Lets assume the bubble has a volume Bb
and a cross section area Ab.
• For those conditions, the difference in Fg Fd
densities between the phases must be
balanced by the drag force so that the
particle is in equilibrium
Fg = − Bb ρ g g
• In this case again the slippage between
the phases plays an important role in
equalizing the pressure gradien for both Fb = Bb ρl g
phases and the lighter phase will travel
faster upward then the heavier phase.
Since the bubbles are travelling upwards Fd = − ρ l (Vg − Vl ) Vg − Vl Ab Cd
1
•
at a higher speed, in order to have the 2
same gas flowrate we need to have less
bubbles per pipe cross secition or smaller
gas void fraction !!!
ρ l (Vg − Vl ) Vg − Vl Ab C d = Bb g (ρ l − ρ g )
1
2

Two Phase Flow
• The knowledge of the actual phase velocities and volumetric
fractions is very important, since they will dictate the in-situ
velocities of the phases and will play important roles in the
gravitational and frictional losses.
• A second question that occurs is of how the phases are actually
distributed in the pipe. Will the phases be separated or mixed ?
Will both phases contact the pipe walls ?
• In order to answer this problem we can go back to our initial
experiment and install a transparent pipe between the two quick
closing valves so that we can actually visualize the flow pattern
for each flow condition.
qg qg
ql ql

Two Phase Flow Regimes or Patterns
• Vertical Upward Flow

• Vertical Upward Flow

• Horizontal Flow

• Annulus Flow

• The conclusion from those experiments is that the flow
pattern is affected by:
– Inclination angle and flow orientation
– Volumetric flowrates of phases
– Pipe diameter
– Pressure and temperature
– Fluid properties
qg qg
ql ql

• For a certain application on a pipe with a known
diameter, flowing liquid and gas at a certain pressure
and temperature with knwon properties, the flow
pattern becomes a function of the liquid and gas
volumetric flowrates or superficial velocities.
• The flow pattern under those conditions is usually
illustrated with the aid of flow pattern maps.
qg qg
ql ql


• The void fraction distributions, slip velocity and flow patterns play
a important role in determining the pressure gradient under
multiphase conditions in pipes.
• Multiphase flow problems are significantly more complicated than
single phase flow problems.
• Analytical solutions are rarely obtained.
• Most models require the use of experimental correlations to close
the set of equations that describe the phenomena.
• The problems can be addressed by two ways
– Fundamental modelling
– Correlations based on experimental data
qg qg
ql ql
dP
dz
Two Phase Flow
• Lets consider the following geometry describing a pipe
with a constant diameter with a certain inclination with
the horizontal plane.
r z
gz
ql
qg
r
g
θ

Two Phase Flow
• The general momentum balance equation can be used

to describe the pressure gradient when a multiphase
mixture is flowing inside the pipe.
dP dP dP dP
= + +
dz dz gravity dz fiction dz acceleration

Two Phase Flow
• Neglecting the acceleration term, the remaning
pressure gradient terms can be given by:
dP r
= ρ m g z = − ρ m g sin(θ )
dz gravity
dP f multiphase ρ f V f Vf
=−
dz friction 2 dp
• The pressure gradient equation then becomes:
dP r f multiphase ρ f V f V f
= − ρ m g sin(α ) −
dz 2 dp

Two Phase Flow
• The mixture density used in the gravitational term of
the pressure gradient is defined based on each phase
density and the actual volumetric phase fraction inside
the pipe:
ρ m = ρl α l + ρ g α g
• In the frictional pressure term, several authors used

different expressions for the multiphase friction factor
as well as for the densities and velocities to be used in
this equation:
dP f multiphase ρ f V f Vf
=−
dz friction 2 dp

Two Phase Flow
• Some of the expressions used for the frictional losses
include:
dP f l ρ l Vsl Vsl
=−
dz friction 2 dp
dP f g ρ g Vsg Vsg
=−
dz friction 2 dp
dP f f ρ f Vm Vm
=−
dz friction 2 dp

Two Phase Flow Phenomena
• In order to illustrate some of the important phenomena associated
with two phase flow we will briefly introduce a very simple two
phase flow model. Notice this model is used here only for the
purpose of illustration of the two phase flow phenomena and how
different and more complicated it is in relation to the single phase
flow.
• The model is based on:
– No acceleration pressure gradient
– No flow pattern consideration
– A simple correlation for the slip velocity between the gas and liquid
phase is assumed.
– The gravitational pressure gradient considers the actual phase
volumetric fractions due to slippage
– The frictional pressure gradient is aproximated by a single phase
moody friction factor based on mixture properties average by the
phase volumetric fractions.

Gravitational Term
• Lets examine more closely the gravitational term:
dP r
= − ρ m g sin(θ )
dz gravity
= −(ρ l α l + ρ g α g ) g sin(θ )
dP r
dz gravity
• But from the definition of slip velocity we know:

Vsg Vsl
Vs = Vg − Vl = −
αg αl

Gravitational Term
• Then we can write:
Vsg Vsl Vsl
Vs = −
Vsl α g (1 − α g )
⎛ Vsg 1 1 ⎞⎟
Vs = Vsl ⎜ −
⎝ sl g (1 − α g ) ⎠
⎜V α ⎟
• The ration between the superficial gas and liquid

velocities is also known as the in-situ vapour liquid
ratio VLR, then:
⎛ VLR 1 ⎞⎟
Vs = Vsl ⎜ −
⎝ g (1 − α g ) ⎠
⎜ α ⎟

Gravitational Term
• An analogy may help to explain the gas phase fraction
behavior with the other variables.
• Lets imagine that the pipeline is a highway. The liquid phase
will be represented by trucks. The gas phase will be
represented by cars. Lets imagine that the rate of cars and
trucks entering the highway is constant and know as 1car or 1
truck every 1 hour. Lets imagine also that the cars have a
“slip” in relation to the trucks.
• We can see that a certain regime is going to be stablished and
after a certain distance we are going to have a constant flux of
1 car or 1 truck every 1 hour. They may not be syncronized by
a steady state regime is achieved.
• Lets see what happens with the “car” fraction on the highway
as we change the truck speeds and the slip velocities.

Gravitational Term
1
Slip = 5 m/h
λcar = = 0.5
Flow Direction 1+1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
L L
Truck = 10 m/h
ncar = ntruck =
Vcar Vtruck
Car = 15 m/h
L
ncar Vcar Vtruck 10
α car = = = α car = = 0.4
ncar + ntruck L
+
L Vcar + Vtruck 15 + 10
Vcar Vtruck

Gravitational Term
1
Slip = 5 m/h
λcar = = 0.5
Flow Direction 1+1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Truck = 15 m/h
Car = 20 m/h
15
α car = = 0.4286
20 + 15

Gravitational Term
1
Slip = 5 m/h
λcar = = 0.5
Flow Direction 1+1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Truck = 20 m/h
Car = 25 m/h
20
α car = = 0.44
25 + 20

Gravitational Term
1
Slip = 5 m/h
λcar = = 0.5
Flow Direction 1+1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Truck = 30 m/h
Car = 35 m/h
30
α car = = 0.46
35 + 30

Gravitational Term
1
Slip = 5 m/h
λcar = = 0.5
Flow Direction 1+1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Truck = 40 m/h
Car = 45 m/h
40
α car = = 0.47
45 + 40

Gravitational Term
1
Slip = 5 m/h
λcar = = 0.5
Flow Direction 1+1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Truck = 90 m/h
Car = 95 m/h
90
α car = = 0.486
95 + 90

Gravitational Term
• Returning to the slip equation we have:
⎛ VLR(1 − α g ) − α g ⎞
Vs = Vsl ⎜ ⎟
⎜ α (1 − α ) ⎟
⎝ g g ⎠
• The correlation for the slip velocity we will use is:

V∞
Vs =
1−α g
• Then we have:
V∞ ⎛ VLR(1 − α g ) − α g ⎞
= Vsl ⎜ ⎟
1−α g ⎜ α (1 − α ) ⎟
⎝ g g ⎠

Gravitational Term
• Solving for the gas volumetric fraction we obtain:
V∞ ⎛ VLR(1 − α g ) − α g ⎞
= Vsl ⎜ ⎟
1−α g ⎜ α (1 − α ) ⎟
⎝ g g ⎠
V∞α g = Vsl (VLR − α g (1 + VLR ))
VLR
αg =
V∞
+ 1 + VLR
Vsl
VLR
αg =
V∞ Ap
1 + VLR +
ql
Gravitational Term
• Solving for the gas volumetric fraction we obtain:
VLR
αg =
V∞ Ap
1 + VLR +
ql
• Observe that when the liquid flowrate tends to zero,
the gas volumetric fraction tends also to zero:
lim α g = 0
Vsl ⇒ 0
• On the other hand, when the liquid flowrate tends to

infintiy we have:
VLR
lim α g =
Vsl ⇒ ∞ 1 + VLR

Gravitational Term
• Observe that the no-slip gas volumetric concentration
is:
Vsg
Vsg Vsl VLR
λg = = =
Vsg + Vsl Vsg 1 + VLR
+1
Vsl

Gravitational Term
• Then the in-situ gas volumetric concentration is:
VLR
αg =
V∞ Ap
1 + VLR +
ql
lim α g = 0
Vsl ⇒ 0
lim α g = λg
Vsl ⇒ ∞
VLR
λg =
1 + VLR

Gravitational Term
VLR VLR
αg = αg =
V A V∞
1 + VLR + ∞ p 1 + VLR +
ql Vl
bbl/bbl bbl/bbl
ft/s ft/s
VLR VLR
αg = αg =
V∞ d p2 V∞ Ap
1 + VLR + 83.93 1 + VLR + 106.86
ql in
ql in2
bpd bpd

Gravitational Term
VLR
αg = lim α g = λg =
VLR
1.00
V A Vsl ⇒ ∞ 1 + VLR
λg = 0.8
1 + VLR + ∞ p
0.90 ql
0.80
In Situ Gas Volumetric Fraction
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40 Terminal Velocity 0.3 ft/s
Liquid Density 62.4 lf/ft3

0.30
Gas Density 6.24 lf/ft3
Pipe Diameter 2”
0.20
Inclination Vertical
VLR 4
0.10
0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Liquid Flowrate (bpd)

Gravitational Term
Terminal Velocity 0.3 ft/s
1.00
0.90
Pipe Diameter 2” VLR
0.80
4
0.70
2
0.60
0.50
1
0.40
0.30
VLR
0.20 αg =
V A
1 + VLR + ∞ p
0.10 ql 0
0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Gravitational Term
1.00
VLR
αg =
V A
0.90 1 + VLR + ∞ p
ql
0.80
0.70
1”
0.60
2”
0.50
3”
Terminal Velocity 0.3 ft/s
0.40 4”
0.30 Gas Density 6.24 lf/ft3

Pipe Diameter (in) VLR 4
0.20 Inclination Vertical
0.10
0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Gravitational Term
VLR
αg =
V∞ Ap
1 + VLR +
ql

Gravitational Term
• And the gravitational term is:
psi/ft
dP
= −0.433γ m sin(θ )
dz gravity
γ m = γ l αl + γ g α g
= −0.433 (γ l α l + γ g α g ) sin(θ )
dP
dz gravity
VLR
αg =
V∞ Ap
1 + VLR +
ql

Gravitational Term
0.50
VLR
0.45
0
0.40
- Pressure Gradient (psi/ft)
0.35
0.30
1
0.25
0.20 2
0.15 Terminal Velocity 0.3 ft/s 4

0.10
Pipe Diameter 2”
0.05
0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Gravitational Term
0.50
0.45
0.40 Pipe Diameter (in) Terminal Velocity 0.3 ft/s

- Pressure Gradient (psi/ft)

4”
VLR 4
0.30
0.25 3”
2”
0.20
0.15 1”
0.10
0.05
0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Gravitational Term
• Two interesting effects were shown by the past two graphs:
– For a constant pipe diameter and constant GLR, increasing
the liquid flowrate causes a reduction on the gravitational
compontnet of the pressure gradient equation.
– For a constant liquid flowrate, an increase in the gas flowrate
or GLR, causes a reduction on the gravitational component of
the pressure gradient equation.
– For a constant liquid and gas flowrate (or VLR), a reduction in
the pipe internal diameter causes a reduction on the
gravitational component of the pressure gradient equation.
• Both effects are related with a reduction of the mixture density.
The mixture density is a function of the in-situ gas volumetric
fraction, and the behavior of the gas volumetric fraction with the
GLR and with the pipe diameter helps to understand the above
phenomena
VLR
αg =
V A
1 + VLR + ∞ p
ql

Gravitational Term
• On the other hand we expected that:
– For a constant pipe diameter and constant VLR increasing the liquid
flowrate should increase the frictional losses.
– For a constant liquid flowrate, increasing the gas flowrate or VLR
should increase the frictional losses.
– For a constant liquid flowrate and gas flowrate or VLR, an decrease
in the pipe inside diameter should increase the frictional losses.
• This is a very interesting fact and is characteristic of two-
phase flow.
– For a constant pipe diameter and constant VLR there should exist
an optimimun liquid flowrate where the pressure losses shoud be
minimum.
– For a constant pipe diameter and liquid flowrate, there should exist a
optimum VLR where the pressure losses should be minimum
– For a constant liquid flowrate and gas flowrate or VLR, there exists a
optimum inside pipe diameter where the pressure losses should be
minimum.
Frictional Term
• Lets now examine a simple model for the frictional
losses:
dP f f ρ m Vm Vm
=−
dz friction 2 dp
VLR
αg =
V A
1 + VLR + ∞ p
ql
f f = f f (Re f )
ρ m Vm d p
Re f =
µm
µ m = µl α l + µ g α g
dP moody ρ m qm qm
= − ρ m g sin(α ) − 8 f m
dz π 2 d 5p

lb/ft3 bbl/d
psi/ft
dP moody ρ m qm qm
= −0.433 γ m sin(α ) − 1.8383 10 f m
−7
dz d 5p
in
psi/ft bbl/d
dP γ q q
= −0.433 γ m sin(α ) − 1.1471 10 −5 f mmoody m m5 m
dz dp
in

0.50
Terminal Velocity 1 ft/s
0.45 Liquid Density 62.4 lf/ft3
0.40
Pipe Diameter 2”
Total Pressure Gradient (psi/ft)
VLR 3
0.35
0.30
0.25 Gravitational Frictional
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

0.50 Terminal Velocity 1 ft/s
Pipe Diameter 2”
0.40 VLR 3
0.35
Total
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
Frictional
0.10
0.05 Gravitational
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

0.50
0.45
0.40
Pipe Diameter 2”
VLR 3
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

• The vertical upward multiphase pressure gradient (and as a consequence the muliphase
OPR) shows a minimum at a certain liquid flowrate that does not exist under single phase
flow conditions.
0.60
VLR
0.50 0
Single Phase
3
0.40
0.30

0.20
Multi Phase Gas Density 6.24 lf/ft3
Pipe Diameter 2”
0.10
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

Terminal Velocity 0.3 ft/s dp

0.60
1 ½”
VLR 3
0.50
2”
0.40
2 ½”
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

0.60 Terminal Velocity 0.3 ft/s

Liquid Density 62.4 lf/ft3 5
0.50 4
Pipe Diameter 2”
3
0.40
VLR
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

Gravitational Losses are Important Everywhere
Effect of flowrate changes on Frictional Losses is more important at higher liquid flowrates
Effect of flowrate changes on Gravitational Losses is more important at lower liquid flowrates
0.50
0.45 Gravitational term very sensitive to Frictional term very sensitive to liquid
liquid flowrate flowrate
0.40
Total
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
Frictional
0.10
0.05 Gravitational
0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

• This very simple model showed in the last slides
illustrated several of the important two phase flow
effects and how different and more complex two phase
flow problems are in comparison to single phase flow
problems.
• The next sections we will now start to address more
“accurate” models or correlations to describe two
phase flow.
• It is very important to realize that due to the complexity
of the problem we do not have a final “solution” or
model that can be applied to any two phase flow
problem.

• Traditionally the approache to two phase flow steady state problems
can be divided into several categories. An important category is
related to the nature of the model.
• Nature of the model
– Theoretical approach
– Correlations approach
– Mechanistic approach
• This is a very controversial classification. Usually all models will have a
theoretical part and a correlation part. This classification is better understood
if we take into account how much of the model is based on theory and how
much depends on the experimental data or correlations.
• Theoretical models have a highly sophisticated theoretical description of the
governing equations and use experimental data to obtain key parameters.
• The correlations have a very simple theoretical description of the governing
equations and use a lot of experimental data to obtain key parameters as
well as fitting parameters to adapt the governing equations.
• The mechanistic models are very popular and very reliable. Basically this is
an intermediate step between the two approaches where the theoretical part
is sophisticated enough to cover the mechanism of the phenomena but is
kept at a simple form to be easily used. The accuracy of the simple
governing equations is fitted with the aid of closure equations obtained with
experimental data.
• Correlations can also be grouped regarding the
inclination angle of the pipe
– Vertical Upward flow correlations
– Vertical Downward flow correlations
– Vertical Flow correlations
– Horizontal flow correlations
– Inclined flow correlations
– Any angle correlations
• Usually the vertical flow correlations were develloped for
well applicaitons. The horizontal and inclined flow
correlations for pipelines. The any angle correlations are
the only ones that simultaneoulsly simulate pipelines and
wells.

• We will now in the next sections discuss only
the correlation approach
• Several correlations will be presented.
• The correlations are usually divided in 3
categories such as:
– Category A
• Correlations with no slip and no flow pattern
consideraton
– Category B
• Correlations that consider slip but do not consider flow
pattern
– Category C
• Both slip and flow pattern is considered.

Empirical Correlations
• Flow in Wells
• Flow in Pipelines

• Three Categories:
– A – No slip, no flow pattern consideration
• Homogeneous mixture
• Mixture friction factor correlations
– B – Slip considered, no flow pattern considered
• Correlations for both liquid holdup and friction factor
– C – Slip considered, flow pattern considered
• Correlation for flow pattern
• Correlations for liquid holdup and friction factor for
each flow pattern

Flow in Wells
Well Flow Correlations Category
Poetmann and Carpenter A
Baxendell and Thomas A
Fancher and Brown A
Hagedorn and Brown B
Gray B
Asheim B
Duns and Ros C
Orkiszewski C
Aziz et al. C
Chierici et al. C
Beggs and Brill C
Mukherjee and Brill C
Flow in Pipelines
Pipeline Flow Correlations Category

Eaton et al. (Horizontal) B
Dukler et al. (Horizontal) B
Flanigan (Inclined) B
Dukler-Eaton (Horizontal) B
Duckler-Eaton-Flanigan (Inclined) B
Beggs and Brill (Inclined) C
Mukherjee and Brill C

• Duns and Ros follows the methods described by Brown. The
correlation makes use of a flow regime map covering bubble, slug
and mist flow. There is a linear transition between slug and mist.
Each regime has its own holdup correlation. Holdup is not changed
by deviation. Friction is calculated with liquid properties for bubble
and slug flow, and gas properties for mist. In mist flow, wall friction
is increased due to liquid ripples on the pipe wall.
• Duns and Ros (modified) has a flow regime map extended by the
work of Gould et al. This includes a new transition region between
bubble and slug flow, and an additional froth flow region at high flow
rates. The holdup is considered as no-slip for froth flow, and is
interpolated over the bubble-slug transition. The other holdup
relationships are as for the standard Duns and Ros. To model
deviation, the calculated holdup is modified using the Beggs and
Brill corrections (see below). Friction is calculated by the method
proposed by Kleyweg. This uses a monophasic friction factor rather
than two-phase, but involves use of an average fluid velocity. This
is claimed by Kleyweg to be a better method.

• Beggs and Brill again follows the methodology outlined by Brown. This
correlation is unique in that it is based on a flow regime map for horizontal
flow, from which a regime is first determined as if the flow were horizontal.
A horizontal holdup is then calculated by correlations. Lastly, this holdup is
corrected for the actual angle of deviation. Beggs and Brill’s correlation
models up- and down-flow. It is therefore recommended for all pipeline
applications. However, since it was not derived for vertical flow, it must be
used with caution in vertical wells. Friction calculations in Beggs and Brill
use an internally defined two-phase smooth pipe friction factor. This may
be expected to under-estimate friction in rough pipes.
• Beggs and Brill (no-slip) uses the same methodology as the standard
Beggs and Brill, with the exception that the holdup used is not the
horizontal holdup described above, but simply the no-slip holdup, without
deviation correction.
• Beggs and Brill (modified) also uses the same methodology as the
standard Beggs and Brill, with the following changes. There is no extra
flow regime of froth flow, which (as in Duns and Ros (modified)) assumes a
no-slip holdup. This is triggered by highly turbulent flow. The friction factor
is changed from the smooth pipe model to the method used in Duns and
Ros (modified) - a single-phase friction factor using pipe roughness and
average fluid velocity.

• Hagedorn and Brown again is as per Brown, with the modifications to Hagedorn and
Brown’s original work as recommended by them. These are: the use of the Griffith
and Wallis correlation for bubble flow (using a simplified flow regime map to detect
bubble flow); and the use of no-slip holdup if it gives greater density than Hagedorn
and Brown’s correlation. There is no change to holdup with deviation. A two-phase
friction factor using pipe roughness is used.
• Hagedorn and Brown (modified) involves the adjustment of the standard Hagedorn
and Brown holdup for deviation using the Beggs and Brill correction. When Griffith
and Wallis’ holdup correlation is invoked (in bubble flow), it is also corrected.
Otherwise, this is the same as the standard Hagedorn and Brown correlation.
• Fancher and Brown is a no-slip correlation1, with no flow regime map. It has its
own friction factor model, which is independent of pipe roughness. This correlation
cannot be recommended for general use. According to Brown, it is only suitable for
2-3/8 - 2-7/8 inch tubings. It is included for any historical comparisons which may
be required. Generally, it differs widely from the results of the other seven
correlations.
• Orkizewski is again based on the description by Brown. This is perhaps the most
sophisticated correlation, as it uses the work of Duns and Ros and Griffith and
Wallis, for mist and bubble flow respectively (using a flow regime map similar to
Duns and Ros’). It has its own correlation in the slug flow region, which is based on
the approach of Griffith and Wallis. A transition between slug and mist flow is also
modelled. The holdup is adjusted for deviation using the Beggs and Brill correlation
(as in the modified Duns and Ros and Hagedorn and Brown correlations). The
friction factor calculation uses wall roughness but varies with flow regime, and for
mist flow retains the Duns and Ros extra friction due to ripples in the film of liquid on
the wall.

• Gray: this is a widely recommended correlation6 for gas and
condensate systems which are predominantly gas phase (with liquid
entrained as droplets). No flow regime map is used, flow being treated
as pseudo-single phase. Water or liquid condensate is considered to
adhere to the pipe wall, resulting in a modified roughness term.
• Dukler-Eaton-Flanigan is a hybrid of the Dukler friction component and
Flanigan correlation for the hydrostatic component. A mixture density is
calculated using Dukler’s equation, but with Eaton’s holdup definition,
and this is used in Dukler’s friction term. The liquid density is used in
the Flanigan hydrostatic term. The acceleration component is modelled
with the Beggs and Brill correlation. This correlation is not suitable for
downflow.
• BAX (Barnea-Ansari-Xiao) correlation is ‘mechanistic’ in that is has
been formulated largely on physical modelling principles. It is
applicable to all fluid types, in all sizes of pipe at any inclination.
• Flow regimes are predicted according to Barnea. Xiao’s model is used
to compute the hydrostatic and frictional pressure gradients for stratified
flow, and Ansari’s model for all other flow regimes. Hasan’s corrections
for deviation from the horizontal or vertical are applied to these model
where necessary.

Mechanistic Models
Taitel & Dukler (1976) Near horizontal

Barnea (1987) Flow pattern
Xiao (1990) Near horizontal pipeline
Kaya (1998) Vertical and deviated wells
Gomez et al. (2001) 0 ~ 90o
Zhang et al. (2003) All inclination angles

Category A Correlations
• Those are correlations that do not consider slip or flow pattern.
• The gas and liquid mixture are assumed to flow with the same
velocity
• The phase volumetric fractions are the non-slip version.
• The gravitational term is modelled using the non slip mixture
density
• The frictional losses is the only term that must use experimental
data to be callibrated.
• Those are very old correlations and are included here only for
historical reasons.
• Those correlations are:
– Homogeneous Model
– Poettmann and Carpenter
– Baxendell and Thomas
– Fancher and Brown

• The pressure gradient equations used by those correlations
includes only the gravitational and frictional losses terms:
dP dP dP
= +
dz dz gravity dz friction
dP r dP f multiphase ρ f V f Vf
= − ρ f g sin(θ ) =−
dz gravity dz friction 2 dp
dP r f multiphase ρ f V f V f
= − ρ f g sin(α ) −
dz 2 dp

• The gravitational term used by those correlations is calculated
using the non-slip version of the phase volumetric fractions:
dP r r
= − ρ f g sin(θ ) = − ρ ns g sin(θ )
dz gravity
ρ ns = ρ g λg + ρ l λl
Vsg GLR
λg = =
Vsg + Vsl 1 + GLR
Vsg qg
GLR = =
Vsl ql

psi/ft
dP
= −0.433γ ns sin(θ )
dz gravity
lbm/ft3
ρ g λg + ρ l λl
γ ns =
62.4
Vsg GLR Vsg qg

λg = = GLR = =
Vsg + Vsl 1 + GLR Vsl ql

• The friction term used by those correlations is calculated using the
non-slip version of the phase volumetric fractions as well as the
mixture velocity. The friction factor is a correlation provide by each
author.
dP f multiphase ρ ns Vm Vm
=−
dz friction 2 dp
Vsg GLR Vsg qg

λg = = GLR = =
q qg
Vm = Vsl + Vsg = Vsl (1 + GLR ) Vsl = l Vsg =
Ap Ap

• The friction term used by those correlations is calculated using the
non-slip version of the phase volumetric fractions as well as the
mixture velocity. The friction factor is a correlation provide by each
author.
dP ρ ns qm 2
= −8 f multiphase
dz friction π 2 d 5p
Vsg GLR Vsg qg

λg = = GLR = =
qm = ql + q g = ql (1 + GLR )

bbl/d
psi/ft
dP −5 γ ns qm 2
= −1.1471 10 f multiphase
dz friction d 5p
in
lbm/ft3
ρ g λg + ρ l λl
γ ns =
62.4
Vsg GLR Vsg qg

λg = = GLR = =
qm = ql + q g = ql (1 + GLR )

psi/ft bbl/d
dP γ q 2
= −0.433γ ns sin(θ ) − 1.1471 10 −5 f multiphase ns 5m
dz dp
in
lbm/ft3
ρ g λg + ρ l λl Vsg qg
γ ns = GLR = =
62.4 Vsl ql
Vsg GLR
λg = = qm = ql + q g = ql (1 + GLR )
Vsg + Vsl 1 + GLR

• The friction factor depends on the correlation to be used:
Friction Factor
Corrrelation
Form Parameters
ε
Homogeneous Moody Diagram Rem dp
Poettmann-Carpenter P-C Diagram d p Vm ρ m
Baxendell-Thomas B-T Diagram d p Vm ρ m
Fancher-Brown F-B Diagram d p Vm ρ m

Homogeneous Model – Moody Friction Factor
Relative
Laminar Critical Zone Transition Complete Turbulent Roughness
0.10
ε 3500
ε
0.09 =
0.08 d Re d
0.07 0.05
0.06
0.05 0.02
0.015
0.04 0.010
0.006
0.03
0.002
0.02 0.001
0.0006
0.0002
Smooth Pipe
0.0001
0.00005
0.01
102 103 104 105 106 107 108

Reynolds Number
Poettmann and Carpenter
1.E+02
1.E+01
Two Phase Flow Friction Factor
1.E+00
1.E-01
1.E-02
1.E-03
1.E+00 1.E+01 1.E+02
d p V ρ (lb / ft s)

Poettmann and Carpenter
• Poetman and Carpenter graph can be approximated by:

Baxendell and Thomas
1.E+02
1.E+01
1.E+00
1.E-01
1.E-02
1.E-03
1.E+00 1.E+01 1.E+02

Baxendell and Thomas
• Baxendel and Thomas graph can be approximated by:

Fancher and Brown
1.E+02
1.E+01 GLR
< 1500 ft3/bbl
1.E+00
2250 ft3/bbl
1.E-01
< 3000 ft3/bbl
1.E-02
1.E-03
1.E+00 1.E+01 1.E+02

1.E+02
1.E+01
1.E+00
1.E-01
1.E-02
1.E-03
1.E+00 1.E+01 1.E+02

Beggs and Brill Correlation
• Beggs and Brill Correlation.
– The experiments were obtained at The University of Tulsa. The
facility consisted of 1” and 1 ½” acrylic pipe sections 90 ft long.
Fluids were air and water. A total of 584 experimental points were
obtained.
– The pipes could be inclined at any angle.
– The parameters were:
• Gas flow rate (0 up to 300 Mscf/d)
• Liquid flow rate (0 up to 30 gal/min) (0 up to 1030 bbl/d)
• Average pipe pressure (35 up to 95 psia)
• Pipe diameter (1” and 1 ½”)
• Liquid hold up (0 up to .87)
• Pressure gradient (0 up to .8 psi/ft)
• Inclination angle (-90 up to 90 with the horizontal)
• Visual flow pattern observed in the pipe.

• Beggs and Brill Correlation
– For each pipe size and gas and liquid flowrates, the
flow pattern was observed on the horizontal set up.
– After this the pipe inclination angle was varied and
the influence of the inclination angle on the holdup
and pressure gradient was observed.

• This correlation is applicable to any pipe

inclination angle and flow direction.
• The method is based on the flow regime that
would occur if the pipe were horizontal.
• Corrections are then presented for the gas
volumetric fraction or liquid holdup to account
for pipe inclination.

• The starting point of this correlation is the

identification of the flow pattern that would exist if the
pipe were horizontal.
• This flow pattern map can only be used to obtain the
actual flow pattern if the pipe is horizontal.
• It is used though as the starting point of the
calculations for pressured drop for any pipe
inclination.
• The Beggs and Brill Horizontal Flow Pattern Map is a
function of the Froude Number and the liquid no-slip
voumetric fraction or hold up.

• Beggs and Brill Horizontal Flow Patterns.
– Beggs and Brill classified the flow regimes in horizontal flow

initially into 3 categories
• Segregated
– Stratified
– Stratified Wavy
– Annular
• Intermittent
– Plug or Elongated Bubble
– Slug
• Distributed
– Bubble
– Mist

• Horizontal Flow Patterns.

• The Flow Pattern is a function of the no-slip liquid
volumetric fraction and the Froude Number:
Vsl
λl =
Vsl + Vsg
2
Vm
Fr = r
g dp

Vsl
λl =
Vsl + Vsg
2
Vm
Fr =
32.2 d p
ft/s
2
Vm
Fr = 0.37267
dp in

Vsl
λl =
Vsl + Vsg
ft/s
Fr = 0.37267
(V sl + Vsg )
2
dp
in

– The original map included the following flow regimes

• Segregated
– Stratified
– Stratified Wavy
– Annular
• Intermittent
– Slug
• Distributed
– Bubble
– Mist

1000
Distributed
100
Froude Number
10
Segregated
1
Intermittent
0.1
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1
No Slip Liquid Volumetric Fraction

1000
Distributed
100
Froude Number
10
Segregated Intermittent
0.1
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1

1000
Distributed
100
Froude Number
Intermittent
10
Segregated
0.1
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1

– The original map was then modified to include a transition

• Segregated
– Stratified
– Stratified Wavy
– Annular
• Transition Segregated - Intermittent
• Intermittent
– Slug
• Distributed
– Bubble
– Mist
– The origional boundaries were also modified so that easy
equations could be obtained for the flow pattern
boundaries.

1000
Distributed
100
Froude Number
Intermittent
10
Segregated
Transition
0.1
0.001 0.01 0.1 1

• The follwoing equations defines the transition lines in
the flow pattern map:
Fr1trans = 316 λl
0.302
−2.4684
Fr2trans = 0.0009252 λl
−1.4516
Fr3trans = 0.1 λl
−6.738
Fr 4
trans
= 0.5 λl

1000
−6.738
Fr 1
trans
= 316 λl
0.302 Fr4trans = 0.5 λl
Distributed
100
Froude Number
Intermittent
10
−1.4516
Fr3trans = 0.1 λl
Segregated
1
−2.4684
Fr2trans = 0.0009252 λl
Transition
0.1
0.001 0.01 0.1 1

1000
(0.01,80)
Distributed
100
(0.4,240)
Froude Number
10
Intermittent
Segregated
Transition
0.1
0.001 0.01 0.1 1

• The logic for determing the horizontal flow pattern is:
Fr > Fr1trans
or Yes Distributed
Fr > Fr4trans
No
Fr > Fr3trans Yes Intermittent
No
Fr > Fr2trans Yes Transition
No
Segregated

• Observe that the Beggs and Brill Flow Pattern Map can be also
represented in the more usual coordinates of gas and liquid
superficial velocities:
• In fact for each value of Froude Number we can calculate the
mixture velocity for a given pipe diameter
2
V
Fr = 0.37267 m
dp
• Then the value of the liquid superficial velocity at each flow

pattern boundary can be calculated by:
b
⎛ Vsl ⎞ Fr d p Fr
= a λl = a ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
trasn b
Fr Vsl = b
⎝ Vm ⎠ 0.37267 a
• And finally the gas superficial velocity is
Vsg = Vm − Vsl

• The next step on Beggs and Brill procedure is the calculation
of the actual liquid volumetric fraction that would occur on a
horizontal pipe.
• This is expressed as a correlation in the form of:
⎛ λ bregime
⎞
α l = max ⎜⎜ aregime cregime , λl ⎟⎟
h l
⎝ Fr ⎠
Flow Regime aregime bregime cregime

Segregated 0.980 0.4846 0.0868
Intermittent 0.845 0.5351 0.0173
Distributed 1.065 0.5824 0.0609
Interpolation based on the Segregated and
Transition
Intermittent liquid volumetric fractions
• The next step is the correction of the liquid holdup to account
for the pipe inclination angle
αl = α φ l
h
φ = 1 + C [sin(1.8 β ) − 0.333 sin 3 (1.8 β )]
• Where β is the inclination angle with the horizontal

1.0
0.8 sin(1.8 β ) − 0.333 sin 3 (1.8 β )
0.6
0.4
0.2
Downward
0.0 Vertical Flow Upward
- 0.3 Vertical Flow
-0.2 0.3
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1.0
-90 -60 -30 0 30 60 90
Inclination Angle β

• The parameter C is given by another correlation:
( (
C = max (1 − λl ) ln d λl N lv Fr g , 0
e f
) )
• And Nlv is a dimensionless number known as the
liquid velocity number:
ft/s
lbm/ft3
ρl
N lv = 1.938Vsl 4
σ
dynes/cm

• The remaining parameters are:
Regime d e f g
Segregated Uphill 0.011 -3.7680 3.5390 -1.6140
Intermittent Uphill 2.960 0.3050 -0.4473 0.0978
Distributed Uphill No Correction - C = 0
Downward Flow 4.700 -0.3692 0.1244 -0.5056

• The transition horizontal liquid actual volumetric fraction is
calculated by interpolation between the segregated and
intermittent values:
α ltransition = Aα lsegregated + Bα lintermittent
Fr3trans − Fr
A = trans
Fr3 − Fr2trans
B = 1− A

• After the liquid volumetric fraction is calculated we can
calculate the elevation pressure gradient
psi/ft
dP
= −0.433γ m sin( β )
dz
lbm/ft3
ρl α l + ρ g α g
γm =
62.4
α g = 1−αl

• The frictional pressure gradient is calculated using the
following model
dP f tp ρ n Vm Vm
=−
dz friction 2 dp
ρ n = ρ l λl + ρ g λg
f tp
f tp = f n
fn

• The mixture no-slip friction factor is calculated using Moody
diagram based on the no-slip mixture properties.
⎛ ε⎞
f n = f moody ⎜ Ren , ⎟
⎝ d⎠
lb/ft3 ft/s
in
ρ n Vm d p
Ren = 124
µn
cp
µ n = µ l λl + µ g λg

• The final frictional pressure gradient is then:
dP ⎛ f ⎞ γ q
2
= − 1.1471 10 −5 f n ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ n 5m
tp
dz ⎝ fn ⎠ d p
ρ l λl + ρ g λg
γn =
62.4
• The correction term for the two phase friction factor

was also presented as a correlation:

• The correction term for the two phase friction factor
was also presented as a correlation:
f tp
= eS
fn
λl
y= 2
αl
⎧ ln(2.2 y − 1.2) if 1 < y < 1.2 ⎫

⎪ ⎪
S =⎨ ln( y ) ⎬
⎪ − 0.0523 + 3.182 ln( y ) − 0.8725 (ln( y ) )2 + 0.01853 (ln( y ) )4 ⎪
⎩ ⎭

Pressure Traverse
• The correlations for multiphase flow in pipes enables the
calculation of the pressure gradient as a function of the
production variables.
• The pressure gradient is a local measurement of the pressure
changes with distance and can be applied at any location in the
pipe.
• It is function of fluid properties and of the flowrates occuring at the
pipe location.
z
dP
ql dz
qg
Pressure Traverse
• However, our objective is to calculate the overall
pressure drop over a considerable distance such as
the total length of a pipeline or of a tubing string
B
z
A
b
dP
∆P = Pb − Pa = ∫ dz
ql dz
a
qg

Pressure Traverse
• Over those long distances, the local pressure gradient
will change depending on the flowrates and flow
conditions occurring at each location along the pipe.
• The main reason for this is that fluid properties,
amount of gas in solution and free and local volumetric
gas and liquid flowrates are funciton of the pressure
and temperature.
• The problem then is how to obtain the pressure losses
by integration of the pressure gradient along the pipe
length.
• The problem is even more interesting since the flow
pattern can also change with location in the pipe.
b
dP
∆P = Pb − Pa = ∫ dz
a
dz

Pressure Traverse
• In a tubing string for instance, at the
bottom of the well the pressure may Annular
be high enough to ensure single
phase flow.
• As the fluids move upwards on the Slug
tubing string, the pressure reduction
allows gas to come out of solution
and we start to have two phase flow.
Churn
• As the fluid continues to move
upwards, we will have more and
more gas coming out of solution and Bubble
expanding.
• In some situations we may have
Single Phase
wells that are on single phase flow at
the botton and as we move upwards
on the tubing string the flow may
become bubble, churn, slug and
eventually annular.

Z Pressure Traverse
Annular
Slug
Churn
Bubble
Single Phase

Pressure Traverse
• This procedure can be done numerically by numerical

integration of the equations for two phase flow in
pipes. Usually this is carried out by a program.
• We will examine now how to implement Beggs and
Brill in a program to perform two phase flow pressure
drop calculations

Two Phase Flow Conventions
• When performing the calculations of pressure drop in
pipes it is important to pay attention to the
conventions.
• The following slides will illustrate the most common
conventions used in the literature.
• The conventions become important also for calculating
pressure differences in pipes.
• The calculation can be performed to calculate the
pressure drop in the direction of the flow (available
pressure) or in the direction opposite to the flow
direction (required pressure).

• The first convention is related with the pipe inclination angle.
• It is commonly assumed that the z coordinate along the pipe axis
is in the direction of the flowrate.
• The inclination angle of the pipe with the horizontal line is the
angle between the z coordinate axis and the horizontal line. It is
assumed positive for upward flow and negative for downward
flow.
Z
q
θ (Positive) q
θ (Negative)

• With this convention, the gravitational pressure losses

along the z direction or in the direction of the flow is
expressed in the following form:
Z
q
θ
dP
= − ρ g sin (θ )
dz g

• Since the z coordinate is aligned with the flow
direction, the frictional pressure losses is expressed
as:
Z
q
V
θ
dP f moody ρ V V ρ q2
=− = −8 f moody
dz f 2 dp π 2 d 5p

• The convention then for the pressure drop along the flow direction is:
Z
q
V
θ
dP ρ q2
= − ρ g sin (θ ) − 8 f moody 2 5
dz π dp
psi/ft bbl/d
dP γ q 2
= −0.433γ sin (θ ) − 1.1471 10 −5 f moody 5
dz dp
in
• When calculating pressure profiles in pipes, two calculations are
interesting.
– The first is called available pressure.
– The second is called required pressure.
• Starting with a certain reference pressure Pi at one extremity of the pipe,
the available pressure is the pressure at the downstream extremity of
the pipe in the same direction of the flow. The required pressure is the
pressure at the upstream extremity in the opposite direction of the flow
• As a convention we will measure the pipe length l allways as a positive
quantity starting at the location of the reference pressure Pi
l
Z Pi Z
q
q
θ θ
Available Pressure l Required Pressure
Calculation Calculation
Pi
• We have then:
l
Z Pi Z
q
q
θ θ
Available Pressure l Required Pressure
Calculation Calculation
Pi
dP dP
= j
dl dz
⎧1 available
j=⎨
⎩− 1 required

• We are interested in solving this problem for a pipe
segment of known length.
• There are basically two algorithms to numerically integrate
this equation.
– Based on length increments (iterative)
– Based on pressure increments (direct but has problems with small
pressure gradients)
∆P dP
= j
∆l dz
⎧1 available
j=⎨
⎩− 1 required

• Algorithm based on length increments
– The pipe is divided into several sections and calculation proceed from
one section to the other.
– The two phase flow variables should be calculated at the average
conditions on the segment and this result in a iterative procedure, since
the average pressure is not known.
P Pn
P1 1 i n Pn +1
Pi Pi +1
∆l
dP
Pi +1 = Pi + j ∆l
dz P

• For Segment 1 to n
• If Pi > 14.7 then
• Pav = Pi
• Convergence is False
• Do while Convergence is False
• Calculate conditions and pressure gradient at Pav
⎛ dP ⎞
• Pi +1 = min ⎜14.6, Pi + j ∆l ⎟
⎜ dz ⎟
⎝ Pav ⎠
⎛P +P ⎞
• If abs ⎜ i +1 i − Pav ⎟ < tol then
⎝ 2 ⎠
• Convergence is True
• Else
Pi +1 + Pi
• Pav =
2
• Endif
• Continue
• Else
• Pi+1 =14.6
• End if
• Next Segment

• Algorithm based on pressure increments
– The average flow conditions in a pipe section are assumed equal to the
flow conditions at the inlet of the section
– The pressure increment in the section must be small enough to ensure
that fluid properties are representative of flow conditions
Pn
P1 1 i n Pn +1
Pi Pi +1 = Pi + ∆Pi
∆ li
dP dP ∆Pi
Pi +1 = Pi + j ∆l Pi + ∆Pi = Pi + j ∆l ∆l =
dz dz dP
Pi Pi j
dz Pi

• Algorithm based on pressure increments
∆Pi
∆l =
dP
j
dz Pi
• As the pressure gradient tends to zero (or small values),

the length increment tends to be indetermined (or big
values). This can occur for instance in downward flow
when the gravitation pressure gain is balanced by the
frictional losses and the total pressure gradient is zero.
• In those cases, we need to proceed with a limited and
bounded length increment ∆lmax

• Distance Left = Pipe Length
• P= Pi
• Do while abs(Distance Left) > Tol
• If P =< 0.1 then Pressure Increments
• Pf =0 Example
• Distance Left = 0
• Else P ∆P(P)
dP
• Calculate properties, flow conditions and pressure gradient at P
<20 0.5
dz P
• Calculate the allowable pressure increment ∆P(P) 20-50 1
• Calculate 50-100 5
⎛ ⎞
⎜ ⎟ 100-500 10
⎜ ∆P( P) ⎟
∆l = min⎜ Distance Left , , ∆lmax ⎟ 500-1000 25
⎜ ⎛ dP ⎞ ⎟
⎜ abs ⎜
⎜ j ⎟
⎟ + 10 −8
⎟ 1000-5000 50
⎝ ⎝ dz P ⎠ ⎠
>5000 100
Distance Left = Distance Left − ∆l
⎛ dP ⎞
Pf = max ⎜⎜ 0 , P + j ∆l ⎟⎟
⎝ dz P⎠
• End if
• P= Pf
• Continue

Two Phase Fluid Properties
• Gas Solubility in Oil – Rso (Standing Correlation)
psig
scf/stb deg F
1.2048
⎡⎛ P + 14.7 ⎞ ⎤
Rso = γ g ⎢⎜ + 1.4 ⎟10 (0.0125 API −0.00091T ) ⎥
o
⎣⎝ 18.2 ⎠ ⎦
• Gas Solubility in Water – Rsw (Culberson and Maketta Correlation)
scf/stb psig
Rsw = A + B ( P + 14.7) + C ( P + 14.7) 2 deg F
A = 8.15839 − 6.12265 × 10 −2 T + 1.91663 × 10 −4 T 2 − 2.1654 × 10 −7 T 3
B = 1.01021 × 10 −2 − 7.44241 × 10 −5 T + 3.05553 × 10 −7 T 2 − 2.94883 × 10 −10 T 3
(
C = − 9.02505 + 0.130237T − 8.53425 × 10 −4 T 2 + 2.34122 × 10 −6 T 3 − 2.37049 × 10 −9 T 4 ×10 −7)
• Water Cut
stbpd
fraction
⎛ qw ⎞
WC = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ qo + q w ⎠
• Producion Gas Oil Ratio and Production Gas Liquid Ratio
fraction
scf/stb
GLR p = GOR p (1 − WC )
• The mixture bubble point is the solution to:

fraction
psi
GLR p − (1 − WC )Rso ( Pb ) − WC Rsw ( Pb ) = 0
scf/stb

• Free Gas Liquid Ratio – GLRfree (Gas Mass Balance)
scf/stb fraction
⎧⎪ P < Pb ⇒ GLR free = GLR p − Rso (1 − WC ) − Rsw WC

⎨
⎪⎩ P ≥ Pb ⇒ GLR free = 0
• Isothermal Oil Compressibility co (Vasquez Correlation)

• This is the compressibility of the oil as a single-phase liquid with a
certain amount of gas in solution. It is valid above the bubble point
only (Vasquez-Beggs Correlation).
scf/stb deg F
P > Pb
−1433 + 5 Rsob +17.2 T −1180γ g +12.61o API
co =
(P +14.7)×105 Rsob = Rso (Pb )
psi-1 psig

• Oil Formation Volume Factor Bo (Stading Correlation)
– Below the bubble point

deg F
scf/stb
bbl/stb
1.2
⎛ γg ⎞
⎜
Bo = 0.9759 + 12 ×10 Rso −5
+ 1.25T ⎟
⎜ γo ⎟
⎝ ⎠
– Above the bubble point
Bo = Bob e[co ( Pb − P )]
deg F psig
scf/stb psi-1
bbl/stb
⎛ ⎛ γg ⎞
1.2
⎞
⎜ ⎟
−5 ⎜
Bo = ⎜ 0.9759 + 12 ×10 Rsob + 1.25T ⎟ ⎟e[co ( Pb − P )] Rsob = Rso (Pb )
⎜ ⎜ γo ⎟ ⎟
⎝ ⎝ ⎠ ⎠

• Isothermal Water Compressibility cw (Dodson and Standing Correlation)
• This is the compressibility of the water as a single-phase liquid with a
certain amount of gas in solution. It is valid above the bubble point only.
psig
deg F a = 3.8546−1.34 10−4 (P +14.7 )

scf/stb
a + bT + cT b = −0.01052+ 4.77 10−7 (P +14.7)

( )
2
−3
cw = 6
1 + 8.9 × 10 Rswb
10
c = 3.9267 10−5 − 8.8 10−10 (P +14.7)
psi-1
P > Pb Rswb = Rsw (Pb )

• Water Formation Volume Factor Bw (Gould Correlation)
– Below the bubble point

deg F psig
bbl/stb
Bw = 1.0 + 1.2 × 10 −4 (T − 60 ) + 1.0 × 10 −6 (T − 60 ) − 3.33 × 10 −6 (P + 14.7 )

2
– Above the bubble point

psig
bbl/stb psi-1
Bw = Bwb e[cw ( Pb − P )]
deg F psi-1
bbl/stb psig
( )
Bw = 1.0 + 1.2 × 10 −4 (T − 60) + 1.0 ×10 −6 (T − 60) − 3.33 × 10 −6 (Pb + 14.7 ) e[cw ( Pb − P )]
2

• Gas devation factor Z (Papay,1968)
Deg R Deg F psig
T pc = 168 + 325γ g − 12.5γ g2 (T + 460) (P + 14.7 )

psia
Tpr = Ppc =
Tpc Ppc
Ppc = 677 + 15.0γ g − 37.5γ g2
Ppr ⎡ ⎛ Ppr ⎞⎤
Z = 1− ⎢0.3675 − 0.04188423⎜⎜ ⎟⎥
⎟
Tpr ⎢⎣ ⎝ Tpr ⎠⎥⎦

• Gas Formation Volume Factor Bg (Equation of State)
PV
= cte
ZT
14.7 V1460.7Fpsi
=
( P + 14.7 )VPT VPT
=
14.7 Z PT (T + 460)
Z1460.7Fpsi (460 + 60) Z PT (T + 460) V1460.7Fpsi Z1460.7Fpsi (460 + 60)(P + 14.7 )
VPT 14.7(T + 460) Z PT VPT (T + 460) Z PT

= = 0.028269
V14.7 psi 520(P + 14.7 ) Z1460.7Fpsi
60 F 60 F
V14.7 psi (P + 14.7 ) Z1460.7Fpsi
ft3/ scf deg F deg F

bbl/ scf
(T + 460) Z PT (T + 460) Z PT
Bg = 0.028269 Bg = 0.00503475
(P + 14.7 ) Z1460.7Fpsi (P + 14.7 ) Z1460.7Fpsi
psig psig

• Gas density
Density of a real gas is given by
P MW 3
ρ= Where R = 10.47
mol-psi-ft
ZT R R − lbm
MWdry air = 28.97 Z =1
ρ =sc(14.7 )(28.97 )
= 0.0764
(1)(10.47 )(520)
air
lbm/ ft3
lbm/ ft3
ρ air
sc
= 0.0764 0.0764 γ g
0.0764 γ g ρg =
lbm/ scf
ρg = 5.614 Bg
ρ gsc = 0.0764 γ g Bg
ft3/scf bbl/scf

• Oil specific gravity
141.5
γo =
131.5 + API
• Density pure water
lbm/ stb
ρ wsc = 350 ρ wsc = 62.4

lbm/ scf

• Stock tank oil density – dead oil density at standard conditions
lbm/ stb
lbm/ scf
ρ osc = 62.4γ o ρ osc = 350γ o
• Density of Live Oil

scf/stb fraction
lbm/ ft3
350γ o + 0.0764γ g Rso (1 − WC )

ρo =
5.615 Bo bbl/stb
• Density of Live Water

scf/stb
3 fraction
lbm/ ft
350γ w + 0.0764γ g Rsw (WC )

ρw =
5.615 Bw bbl/stb

• Fluid Flowrates
5.614583
qoin − situ = (1 − WC ) ql Bo
86400
fraction bbl/stb
ft3/s
5.614583
qwin − situ = WC ql Bw
86400
bbl/ scf
5.614583
q gin − situ = GLR free ql Bg
86400
scf/stb bpd

• Superficial Fluid Velocities
ft3/s
4qoin − situ
Vso = 2
⎛d⎞
π⎜ ⎟
⎝ 12 ⎠ in
4qwin − situ
ft/s Vsw = 2
⎛d⎞
π⎜ ⎟
⎝ 12 ⎠
4q gin − situ
Vsg = 2
⎛d⎞
π⎜ ⎟
⎝ 12 ⎠
Vm = Vsg + Vso + Vsw

• Oil Viscosity
– Dead Oil Viscosity (Beggs and Robinson Correlation)
10 (3.0324− 0.02023o API )

µ od = 10 x − 1
x=
T 1.163
cp
deg F
– Below the bubble point (Beggs and Robinson Correlation)
scf/stb cp
cp
(
µo = 10.715(Rso + 100 ) −0 .515
) µ (5.44(R
od
so +150 )
−0 .338
)

• Oil Viscosity
– Above the bubble point (Beggs and Vasquez Correlation)

psig
cp
⎛ −11.513−8.98×10−5 ( P +14.7 ) ⎞⎟
1.187 ⎜⎝
2.6 ( P +14.7 ) e ⎠
⎛ P + 14.7 ⎞
µ o = µ ob ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ Pb + 14.7 ⎠
Where
scf/stb
cp cp
(
µob = 10.715(Rsob + 100 ) −0 .515
)µ (5 .44(R
od
sob +150 )
−0 .338
)
Rsob = Rso (Pb )

• Gas Viscosity (Lee et al. correlation)
lb/ft3
lb/lbmol deg F
cp
⎛ ρg ⎞
y
µg =
(9.4 + 0.02MW )(T + 460)
1.5
⋅10- 4 e
x ⎜⎜
⎝ 62.4
⎟⎟
⎠
209 + 19MW + (T + 460)
MW = 28.96 γ g
986
x = 3.5 + + .01 MW
T + 460
y = 2.4 − 0.2 x

• Water Viscosity (Kestin, Khalifa and Correa)
deg F psig
cp
(
µw = 109.574 T −1.12166 0.9994 + 4.0295 10 −5 ( P + 14.7) + 3.1062 10 −9 ( P + 14.7) 2 )

Two Phase Flow Properties
• No slip liquid and gas phase fractions
Vsg Vsw
λg = fw =
Vsg + Vso + Vsw Vso + Vsw
Vso + Vsw
λl = fo =
Vso
Vsg + Vso + Vsw Vso + Vsw
• Mixture Froude Number
ft/s
2
V
Fr = 0.37267 m
dp in

• Flow Pattern Transitions Froude Numbers
Fr1trans = 316 λl
0.302
−2.4684
Fr2trans = 0.0009252 λl
−1.4516
Fr3trans = 0.1 λl
−6.738
Fr4trans = 0.5 λl

• The logic for determing the horizontal flow pattern is:
Fr > Fr1trans
or Yes Distributed
Fr > Fr4trans
No
Fr > Fr3trans Yes Intermittent
No
Fr > Fr2trans Yes Transition
No
Segregated

• Horizontal Liquid Phase Fraction:
⎛ λ bregime
⎞
α l = max ⎜ aregime cregime , λl ⎟⎟
h
⎜ l
⎝ Fr ⎠
Flow Regime aregime bregime cregime

Segregated 0.980 0.4846 0.0868
Intermittent 0.845 0.5351 0.0173
Distributed 1.065 0.5824 0.0609
Interpolation based on the Segregated and
Transition
Intermittent liquid volumetric fractions

• The transition horizontal liquid actual volumetric fraction is
calculated by interpolation between the segregated and
intermittent values:
α ltransition = Aα lsegregated + Bα lintermittent
Fr3trans − Fr
A = trans
Fr3 − Fr2trans
B = 1− A

• The liquid velocity number is:
ft/s
lbm/ft3
ρl
N lv = 1.938Vsl 4
σ
dynes/cm
ρ l = ρ o (1 − f w ) + ρ w f w

• The C parameter is given by:
(
C = max (1 − λl ) ln d λl N lv Fr ( e f g
) , 0)
Regime d e f g
Segregated Uphill 0.011 -3.7680 3.5390 -1.6140
Intermittent Uphill 2.960 0.3050 -0.4473 0.0978
Distributed Uphill No Correction - C = 0
Downward Flow 4.700 -0.3692 0.1244 -0.5056

• Inclination angle corrected liquid fraction
αl = α φ l
h
φ = 1 + C [sin(1.8 β ) − 0.333 sin 3 (1.8 β )]

• Where β is the inclination angle with the horizontal
0 < αl < 1
α l >= λl β >= 0
α l =< λl β <0
• Gravitational Pressure Gradient
psi/ft
dP
= −0.433γ m sin( β )
dz
lbm/ft3
ρl α l + ρ g α g
γm =
62.4
α g = 1−αl

• Friction Factor Correction Factors:
f tp
= eS
fn
λl
y= 2
αl
⎧ ln(2.2 y − 1.2) if 1 < y < 1.2 ⎫

⎪ ⎪
S =⎨ ln( y ) ⎬
⎪ − 0.0523 + 3.182 ln( y ) − 0.8725 (ln( y ) )2 + 0.01853 (ln( y ) )4 ⎪
⎩ ⎭

• The mixture no-slip friction factor is calculated using Moody
diagram based on the no-slip mixture properties.
⎛ ε⎞
f n = f moody ⎜ Ren , ⎟
⎝ d⎠
lb/ft3 ft/s
in
ρ n Vm d p
Ren = 124
µn
cp
µ l = µ w f w + µ o (1 − f w ) µ n = µ l λl + µ g λg ρ n = ρ l λl + ρ g λg

• Churchill 1977 developped a correlation to be used to
estimate the friction factor across the whole range of
Reynolds Number.
1
⎡ 8 12 ⎤ 12
⎛ ⎞ 1
f moody = 8 ⎢⎜ ⎟ + ⎥
⎢⎝ Re ⎠ ( ) ⎥
3
⎣ A + B 2 ⎦
16
⎡ ⎤
⎢ ⎥ 16
A = ⎢2.457 ln
1 ⎥ ⎛ 37530 ⎞
⎢
B=⎜ ⎟
⎛ ε ⎞⎥
0.9
⎛ 7 ⎞ ⎝ Re ⎠
⎢ ⎜ ⎟ + 0.27⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎣ ⎝ Re ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

• The final frictional pressure gradient is then:
psi/ft bpd
dP ⎛ f ⎞ γ q
2
= − 1.1471 10 −5 f n ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ n 5m
tp
dz ⎝ fn ⎠ d p
in
lbm/ft3
ρ l λl + ρ g λg
γn =
62.4

Pressure Traverse
• Setting the location of the initial pressure as zero, and measuring the reference
lengths from the initial pressure location, we can summarize the calculations for
both the required as well as for the available pressure as:
• Using the algorithm based on length increments we obtain:
zb
dP ⎧1 available
∆P = Pb − Pa = ∫z dz dz j=⎨
⎩− 1 required
a
zb lb
dP dP
Pb = Pa + ∫ dz = Pa + j ∫ dl B
za
dz 0
dz z
l
Available Pressure
Required Pressure
A l za a l
dP dP
Pa = Pb + ∫ dz = Pb + j ∫ dl
dz dz
ql zb 0
qg
Pressure Traverse
• For the algorithm based on length increments we obtain:
zb Pb
1
∫ dz = ∫P dP dz dP
za a ⎧1 available
j=⎨
⎩− 1 required
zb lb Pb
1
∫ dz = ∫ dz = j ∫
za 0 Pa
dP dz
dP
B
lb = j ∫
Pb
1
dP
z
Pa
dP dz l
Available Pressure
Required Pressure
za la Pa
1
A l
∫ dz = ∫ dz = j ∫
zb 0 Pb
dP dz
dP
Pa
ql la = j ∫
1
dP
qg Pb
dP dz

Pressure Traverse
• Setting the location of the initial pressure as zero, and measuring
the length from the initial pressure location, we can summarize
the calculations for both the required as well as for the available
pressure at that location as:
l
dP
P = Pinic + j ∫ dl
0
dz
Pend
1
l= j ∫
Pinic
dP dz
dP
⎧1 available
j=⎨
⎩− 1 required

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
2000
• Both algorithms can be used to
calculate either the available or
required pressure profile in 4000
flowlines, production or injection

wells. 6000
Distance from the Initial Pressure Location (ft)

8000
10000
12000
Oil Flowrate 600 bpd

14000
Tubing Diameter 2 3/8” - Vertical
API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
16000
Average Flowing Temperature 175 F
Water Cut 0%
Production GLR 1000 scf/bbl
18000 Initial Pressure 250 psi
Required Pressure Profile – Production Well
20000

Pressure Traverse
Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0
• This algorithm can be used to 2000
trace the pressure profile for

different initial pressures.
4000
• We can also notice that the
pressure gradient in two-phase
flow is a function of the liquid 6000

and gas flowrates as well as the
in-situ pressure and 8000
temperature. Assuming
isothermal flow, then the 10000
pressure gradient is only a
function of the in-situ pressure
at a certain location in the pipe. 12000
14000
Tubing Diameter 2 3/8”
API 25
dP
= f (P)
16000 Gas Gravity 0.65
Temperature 175 F
dz Water Cut 0%
18000 GLR 1000 scf/bbl
Required Pressure Profiles
20000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0
2000
• The shape of the pressure

profiles is only dependent of the 4000
pressure and not of the location
in the pipe.
• Then pressure traverses at 6000

different initial pressures are just
shifted along the relative 8000
position axis.
10000
12000
dP 14000
= f (P)
dz 16000
API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
Temperature 175 F
Water Cut 0%
20000

Pressure Traverse
• A direct consequence of this is that only one pressure profile at a
reference pressure is required to graphically represent the
pressure profiles at any initial pressure
Pend
1
∆l = ∫
Pinic
dP dz
dP
Pend inic P
1 1
∆l = ∫
ref
dP dz
dP − ∫
ref
dP dz
dP
Pend Pinic
1 1
lend = ∫
Pref
dP dz
dP linic = ∫
Pref
dP dz
dP
∆l = lend − linic
“Reference Position” for pressure at a reference Pressure Traverse

Pressure Traverse
Pressure (psi)
Pref 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0
Pinic Pend
Pinic
1 2000
linic = ∫
Pref
dP dz
dP
4000
Pend
1
∆l = ∫
6000
dP

Pinic
dP dz
8000
Pend inicP
1 1
∆l = ∫
ref
dP dz
dP − ∫
ref
dP dz
dP 10000
12000
lend − ∆l = linic
14000
Pend
1 API 25
lend = ∫ dP 16000 Gas Gravity 0.65
Pref
dP dz Temperature 175 F
Water Cut 0%
20000

Pressure Traverse
• This can be used to construct a scale
for presenting the results from the
pressure gradient calculation
• Usually those results are presented in
a graphical form known as “pressure
traverses”
• Usually, but not always, the reference
pressure is the atmospheric pressure.
• Gilbert (1954) published one of the first
sets of flowing pressure at depth
curves. The Gilbert flowing pressure-
depth curves were the forerunners for
the present method of displaying
gradient curves.
• Each pressure traverse is valid for a
certain pipe diameter and inclination
angle, a determined oil density, a
determined gas density and a
determined water density. A constant
temperature is also assumed on the
solution of the pressure traverse.

Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
Pressure Traverse 0

1000 API 25
• Gilbert (1954) did not present a Gas Gravity 0.65

multiphase correlation for 2000 Water Cut 0%
calculating the pressure Production GLR 0 to 900 in 100 scf/stb steps
traverses. Beggs and Brill Correlation
• Each pressure traverse is valid 3000
for a certain pipe diameter and

inclination angle, a determined 4000
Reference Position (ft)

oil density, a determined gas
density and a determined water 5000
density. A constant temperature
is also assumed on the solution
of the pressure traverse. 6000
• Usually they are presented as a

collection of curves for a 7000
constant total liquid flowrate

and water cut and several GLR 8000
curves can be presented in the
same graph.
9000
10000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0
Pinic Pend
• The use of the pressure 1000
traverse curves is based on Pend − Pinic

the follwoing equation: 2000
3000
4000

Pend
1
∆l = ∫
Pinic
dP dz
dP 5000
6000
7000

8000 API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
9000 Water Cut 0%
Production GLR 0 to 900 in 100 scf/stb steps
10000

Pressure Traverse
• Gas has two main effects on the two-phase flow pressure losses.
– Reduction of mixture density and a reduction in the gravitational
pressure loss
– Increase of the total mass flowing and an increase in the
dissipational frictional loss
• In general an increase in the volume of free gas reduces the
gravitational losses.
• This occurs up to a certain amount of free gas. Beyond a certain
value, the reduction in gravitational losses is smaller than the
increase in the frictional losses.
• For the same GLR, the volume of free gas depends on the
pressure.
• As a consequence the behavior of the pressure gradient depends
both on the GLR as well as the pressure.
• As a consequence also, the shape of the pressure traverses
depends on the GLR and the reference pressure.

Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
Pressure Traverse 0
• For small volumes of free gas, 2000
an increase in the GLR usually

reduces the pressure gradient. 4000
• Smaller down-hole pressures

are obtained with an increase in 6000
the GLR.
• Also for those conditions, for 8000
the same GLR, an increase in

the pressure increases the total
pressure gradient due to a 10000
reduction in the volume of free

gas 12000
• Smaller pressure gradients

occurs in the low pressure 14000
regions where the volumes of Oil Flowrate 600 bpd
free gas are higher for a certain Tubing Diameter 2 3/8” - Vertical
GLR. 16000 API 25

Gas Gravity 0.65
• This is shown in this example Average Flowing Temperature 175 F
up to a GLR of 500 scf/bbl 18000

Water Cut 0%
Production GLR 0 to 500 in 100 scf/stb steps
20000

Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
Pressure Traverse 0
• Beyond the value of 500 scf/bbl, 2000
in this case, an increase in the

GLR may not reduce the bottom 4000
hole flowing pressure.

• At lower pressures the volume 6000
of free gas is higher than at

higher pressures. 8000

• For this reason, at shallow 0
depths (less than 4500 ft), the 10000
pressure traverse at 2000 500
scf/bbl causes higher pressures 12000
than the one at 500 scf/bbl 2000
• At depths greater than 4500 ft 14000
the pressure traverse with 2000 Oil Flowrate 600 bpd

scf/bbl causes lower pressures 16000 API 25
than the one at 500 scf/bbl Gas Gravity 0.65

18000 Water Cut 0%

Production GLR 0, 500 and 2000 scf/bbl
20000

Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
Pressure Traverse 0
• At 6000 scf/bbl, the excessive 2000
free gas at the lower pressures

up to 8800 ft causes bottom 4000
hole flowing pressures higher

than with 500 scf/bbl. 6000
• We can notice that the 6000

excessive free gas volume at
6000 scf/bbl causes pressure 8000

gradients higher than the single 0
phase cases for very low 10000
pressures that occur up to 2000 500

ft. 12000
• As a consequence for each 2000

depth there is an optimum GLR
that will cause the smallest 14000
bottom hole flowing pressure. Oil Flowrate 600 bpd
This is known as the “Minimum 16000

API 25
Gradient GLR” at that depth. Gas Gravity 0.65
18000
Water Cut 0%
Production GLR 0, 500, 2000 and 6000 scf/bbl
20000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
2000
• For the GLR of 500 scf/bbl an

increase in pressure causes an
increase in the pressure gradient. The 4000
increase in pressure reduces the

volume of free gas and the pressure 6000
gradient tends towards the single-
phase pressure traverse slope.
• For the GLR of 6000 scf/bbl at higher 8000

pressures, (above 750 psi – 2000 ft),
0
an increase in the pressure or depth
10000
also increases the pressure gradient
due to a reduction of the volume of 500
free gas. 12000
• On the other hand, for the GLR of

6000 scf/bbl for pressures below 750 6000
psi, an increase in pressure will also 14000
reduce the volume of free gas, but the Oil Flowrate 600 bpd
pressure gradient reduces !! 16000

API 25
• This occurs because at low pressures Gas Gravity 0.65
(below 750 psi) the pressure traverse Average Flowing Temperature 175 F
of 6000 scf/bbl has two much free gas. 18000 Water Cut 0%
Production GLR 0, 500 and 6000 scf/bbl
20000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
• Both phenomena are explained as Oil Flowrate 600 bpd

follows: 1000
API 25
• Up to a certain value, an increase in Gas Gravity 0.65
the volume of free gas is beneficial. Average Flowing Temperature 175 F
Higher GLR means smaller bottom 2000 Water Cut 0%

Production GLR 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800,
hole flowing pressures and smaller 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 scf/bbl
pressure gradients 3000

• This phenomena is know as “Normal

Pressure Gradient”.
4000
• At a certain pressure, increases of

the GLR beyond a certain value
actually is detrimental resulting in 5000
higher bottom hole flowing pressures
and higher pressure gradients
• This phenomena is know as “Reverse 6000
Pressure Gradient” and occurs when

excessive free gas is present and a 7000
reduction in the volume of free gas
increases is actually beneficial.
• The “Reverse Pressure Gradient” 8000
phenomena results in overlaps of the

pressure traverses for several GLR 9000
resulting in a chart that is difficult to
read.
10000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

3500 4000 4500
• Pressure traverses can be API 25

Gas Gravity 0.65
presented in alternative forms Average Flowing Temperature 175 F

Water Cut 0%
5000
that make is easier to read Beggs and Brill Correlation
the values when the reverse

pressure gradient is present.
0
• The charts are clear, but 10000

100
those presentation formats
also have drawbacks. 200
• The first one in based on 15000

400
shifting each GLR traverse by 600

4000
a constant depth. 800
1000
20000
6000
2000
25000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

• The second form is by 1000

API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
eliminating the reverse Average Flowing Temperature 175 F
Water Cut 0%
pressure gradient behavior 2000
Production GLR 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800,
1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 scf/bbl
from the graph. 3000

Reverse Pressure Gradient Eliminated
• In this case, at a certain Minimum Fluid Gradient Plot
depth only the values for the 4000

GLR smaller than the one
5000
where the reverse pressure
gradient starts are displayed. 6000
• This type of plot is also

known as “Minimum Fluid 7000
Gradient” plot, since for each 8000
depth only the GLR up to the

minimum gradient value is 9000
displayed
10000

Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
Pressure Traverse 0

• The “Minimum Fluid 1000 API 25

Gas Gravity 0.65
Gradient” traverse is not a 2000

Water Cut 0%
pressure traverse. GLR 0, 1000 and Minimum Fluid Gradient

• It is defined as the loci of 3000
1000
tangencies of the higher Tangency point for
GLR of 1000 scf/bbl
4000
GLR traverses.

• The GLR is continuously 5000
changing. 0
6000
• The GLR increases as the 1000
depth increases 7000
• The “Minimum Fluid

8000
Gradient” traverse is very
important for the design of 9000
continuous gas lift wells. Minimum Fluid

Gradient
10000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
GLR of Minimum Pressure – scf/bbl

216
• The “Minimum Fluid 1000 298
Gradient” traverse is not a

488
pressure traverse. 2000

701
tangencies of the higher 915

GLR traverses. 4000

• The GLR is continuously 5000 1119
changing.
6000
1314
• The GLR increases as the

depth increases 7000 1503
• The “Minimum Fluid Oil Flowrate 600 bpd

8000
Gradient” traverse is very API 25

Gas Gravity 0.65

Water Cut 0%
continuous gas lift wells. Minimum Fluid Gradient

10000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500


Gas Gravity 0.65
Gradient” traverse is not a Average Flowing Temperature 175 F

Water Cut 0%
2000
pressure traverse. Minimum Fluid Gradient
tangencies of the higher

GLR traverses. 4000

changing.
6000


8000

continuous gas lift wells.

10000

Minimum Fluid Gradient GLR (scf/bbl)
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Pressure Traverse 0


Gas Gravity 0.65
Gradient” traverse is not a 2000

Water Cut 0%
pressure traverse. Beggs and Brill Correlation

Reference Pressure 14.7 psia
tangencies of the higher
Distance from Reference Pressure (ft)

4000
GLR traverses.
changing.
6000


8000
continuous gas lift wells.

10000

Pressure Traverse
• The reference pressure changes affects the reverse pressure gradient phenomena
Pressure (psi)
Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0 0
1000 1000
2000 2000
3000 3000
4000 4000

5000 5000
6000 6000
7000 7000
Oil Flowrate 1500 bpd Oil Flowrate 1500 bpd
Tubing Diameter 2 3/8” - Vertical Tubing Diameter 2 3/8” - Vertical
API 25 API 25
8000 8000
Gas Gravity 0.65 Gas Gravity 0.65
Average Flowing Temperature 150 F Average Flowing Temperature 150 F
9000
Water Cut 0% 9000
Water Cut 0%
GLR 0 up to 700 increments of 100 scf/bbl GLR 0 up to 700 increments of 100 scf/bbl
Beggs and Brill Correlation Beggs and Brill Correlation
10000 10000

Pressure Traverse
• The reference pressure changes affects the reverse pressure gradient phenomena
Pressure (psi) Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0 0

1000
Tubing Diameter 2 3/8” - Vertical 1000
API 25
API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
Gas Gravity 0.65
2000 Average Flowing Temperature 175 F 2000
Water Cut 0%
Water Cut 0%
Production GLR 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800,
Production GLR 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 scf/bbl
3000 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 scf/bbl 3000
4000 4000 Minimum Fluid Gradient Plot
Minimum Fluid Gradient Plot

5000 5000
6000 6000
7000 7000
8000 8000
9000 9000
10000 10000

Pressure (psi)
Pressure Traverse 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

• The minimum fluid gradient is a 1000 API 25

Gas Gravity 0.65
function of the starting Average Flowing Temperature 175 F
pressure on the surface 2000 Water Cut 0%

Production GLR 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800,
1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 scf/bbl
• The optimum GLR changes Beggs and Brill Correlation
with depth 3000

• The optimum GLR is the one
4000
that results in the smallest

integral of the pressure
gradient from the reference 5000
pressure to the depth of

interest 6000
• The optimum GLR is also

dependent on the reference 7000
pressure
8000
• This is not a pressure traverse
and can not be shifted !!!!
9000
10000

Minimum Fluid Gradient GLR (scf/bbl)
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Pressure Traverse 0
1000
• The minimum fluid gradient is a

function of the starting pressure 2000
on the surface 250

• The optimum GLR changes 3000
with depth
Distance from Reference Pressure (ft)

• The optimum GLR is the one 4000
that results in the smallest

integral of the pressure gradient 5000
Reference Pressure (psig)
from the reference pressure to

the depth of interest
6000
• The optimum GLR is also
dependent on the reference Oil Flowrate 600 bpd
pressure 7000
API 25
• This is not a pressure traverse Gas Gravity 0.65
and can not be shifted !!!! 8000 Average Flowing Temperature 175 F
Water Cut 0%
Production GLR 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800,
1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 scf/bbl
9000
10000

Pressure (psia)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0
1000
2000
OPR Construction 3000
Distance from Initial Pressure (ft)

4000
5000
Oil Flowrate from 0 to 2200 bpd

Tubing Diameter 2 1/2” 6000
API 25
7000
Gas Gravity 0.65
8000
Water Cut 50 %
Production GLR 1000 scf/stb 9000
Well Depth 8000 ft

10000
Wellhead pressure 100 psi
Final Pressure (psi)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
0
500
Oil Flowrate (bpd)

1000
1500
2000
2500

OPR Construction
4000
2 3/8 ”
3500
3000 2 7/8 ”
Bottom Hole Pressure (psi)
2500
3 1/2 ”
2000
API 25
1500
Gas Gravity 0.65
1000 Water Cut 50 %
Production GLR 1000 scf/stb
Well Depth 8000 ft
500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Oil Flowrate (stb/day)

OPR Construction
GLR scf/stb 2000 1000 500

4000
3500
3000
2500
2000 API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
1500 Water Cut 50 %
Tubing 2 3/8 “
1000 Well Depth 8000 ft

500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
Water Cut (%) 75 50

4000
3500
3000
0
2500
2000
API 25
1000
Tubing 2 3/8 “
Well Depth 8000 ft
500 Wellhead pressure 100 psi
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
Water Cut (%)

4000 75 50
GLR (scf/stb) 500 1000

3500
3000
0
2000
2500
2000
API 25
Production GOR 2000 scf/stb
1000
Tubing 2 3/8 “
Well Depth 8000 ft
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
0.0015 0.00015
4000 Roughness (ft) 0.000015
3500
3000
2500
2000 API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
1500 Production GLR 1000 scf/stb
Water Cut 50 %
1000 Tubing 2 3/8 “

Well Depth 8000 ft
500 Beggs and Brill Correlation
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
4000
Wellhead Pressure (psi)

3500
3000
2500
300
2000 200
API 25
1500 100 Gas Gravity 0.65
1000
Water Cut 50 %
Tubing 2 3/8 “
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
API 15 25 35
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
Gas Gravity 0.65
Water Cut 50 %
Tubing 2 3/8 “
1000
Well Depth 8000 ft
500 Beggs and Brill Correlation
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
0.75
4000
Gas Gravity
0.65
3500
0.85
3000
2500
2000 API 25
1500
Water Cut 50 %
Tubing 2 3/8 “

500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
4000 180
Average Flowing Temperature (F)
3500
140
3000
220
2500
2000
API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
Water Cut 50 %
Tubing 2 3/8 “
500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

OPR Construction
API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
5000
Water Cut 50 %
4500 2 3/8 ”
Well Depth 8000 ft
3500
2 7/8 ”
3000
2500
3 1/2 ”
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Oil Flowrate (bpd)

OPR Construction
4000
3500
2 3/8 ”
3000
2 7/8 ”
2500
2000 3 1/2 ”
1500
API 25
Gas Gravity 0.65
1000
Water Cut 50 %
Well Depth 8000 ft
500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Oil Flowrate (bpd)

OPR Construction
3000
4000
2000
3500
1000
3000
GLR (scf/stb)
2500
2000
API 25

Water Cut 50 %
1000 Tubing 2 3/8”
Well Depth 8000 ft
500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Oil Flowrate (bpd)

Published Pressure Traverse
• The pressure traverse
charts are presented in a
format similar to the one
shown in the graph.
• They are usually obtained
using a set of correlations
for fluid properties and
pressure gradient.
• If a set of curves is to be
prepared for a certain
applicaiton in a field, the
correlations used should
be the ones known to give
best results for the
available field data.

Pressure Traverse
• Application of Pressure Traverse Curves

• For a particular applicaiton we must first locate
the pressure traverse chart appropriate for:
– Tubing size
– Liquid flowrate
– Water Cut
• We know that the pressure gradient at a
certain location in the pipe is highly dependent
on the average pressure existing at that
location.

Pressure Traverse
• So the starting pressure for
the calculation of the
pressure drop must be
located in the graph on the
curve. This point
corresponds to the known
upstream or downstream
pressure.
• Therefore, the numbers on
the vertical axis are
reference numbers only.
This means that the curves
must be “shifted” vertically
to correspond to the actual
location in the pipe.

Pressure Traverse
• The procedure to use the graphs is:
1. Select the chart that most closely corresponds to the known conditions
of pipe diameter, liquid production rate and water fraction. Usually
some interpolation is required for liquid flowrate and water cut.
2. Enter the known pressure on the pressure axis. Proceed vertically
from this pressure to the intersection of the appropriate GLRp curve.
Some interpolation may be required.
3. Proceed from the intersection point horizontally to the depth or
distance vertical axis which represents a reference value.
4. We can now calculate the other pressure on the pipe.
• If the known starting pressure is the downstream pressure, add to the
distance reference value the total length of the pipe.
• If the known starting pressure is the upstream pressure, subtract from the
distance reference value the total length of the pipe.
5. Locate the result from the previous step on the vertical axis and
proceed horizontally to the intersection of the appropriate GLRp curve.
Some interpolation may be required again.
6. From the intersection point proceed vertically to the pressure axis and
read the final calculated pressure.

Pressure Traverse
• Example
• Lets calculate the bottomhole flowing pressure for the
following production conditions on a well:
– Well head flowing pressure – 500 psi
– Well depth 6500 ft
– Tubing 2.5” ID
– Total Flow rate 800 bpd
– Water Cut 50%
– GLRp = 200 scf/bbl

Pressure Traverse
1. Select the chart that

most closely
corresponds to the
known conditions of
pipe diameter, liquid
production rate and
water fraction. Usually
some interpolation is
required for liquid
flowrate and water
cut. GLR= 200

Pressure Traverse
2. Enter the known

pressure on the
pressure axis.
Proceed vertically
from this pressure to
the intersection of the
appropriate GLRp
curve. Some
interpolation may be
required.
GLR= 200

Pressure Traverse
3. Proceed from the

intersection point
horizontally to the
depth or distance
vertical axis which
represents a
reference value.
GLR= 200

Pressure Traverse
4. We can now calculate
the other pressure on
the pipe.
• If the known starting
pressure is the
downstream pressure,
add to the distance
reference value the
total length of the
pipe.
pressure is the
upstream pressure,
subtract from the GLR= 200
distance reference
value the total length
of the pipe.

Pressure Traverse
5. Locate the result

from the previous
step on the vertical
axis and proceed
horizontally to the
intersection of the
appropriate GLRp
curve. Some
interpolation may
be required again. GLR= 200

Pressure Traverse
6. From the
intersection point
proceed vertically
to the pressure axis
and read the final
calculated
pressure.
GLR= 200

Pressure Traverse
• Example
• Lets calculate the bottomhole flowing pressure for the
following production conditions on a well:
– Tubing 2.5” ID
– Water Cut 50%
• The solution is that the bottom hole flowing

pressure for those production conditions is
2750 psi.

Pressure Traverse
• Example
• Lets calculate the bottomhole flowin pressure
for the following production conditions on a
well:
– Tubing 2.441” ID (2 7/8”)
– Water Cut 50%

Pressure Traverse

most closely
corresponds to the
known conditions of
production rate and
required for liquid
flowrate and water
cut.

Pressure Traverse
2. Enter the known

pressure on the
pressure axis.
Proceed vertically
appropriate GLRp
curve. Some
required.

Pressure Traverse
3. Proceed from the

intersection point
horizontally to the
depth or distance
vertical axis which
represents a
reference value. The
reference value is
1400 ft.

Pressure Traverse
the pipe.
pressure is the
add to the distance
reference value the
total length of the
pipe.
pressure is the
upstream pressure,
subtract from the
distance reference
of the pipe.
• The result is 13400 ft.

Pressure Traverse

from the previous
axis and proceed
horizontally to the
intersection of the
appropriate GLRp
curve. Some
interpolation may
be required again.

Pressure Traverse
6. From the
intersection point
proceed vertically
and read the final
calculated
pressure.
7. The result is 3320
psi.

Pressure Traverse
• Example
• Lets calculate the bottomhole flowing pressure
for the following production conditions on a
well:
– Tubing 2.441” ID (2 7/8”)
– Water Cut 50%
• The solution for the bottom hole flowin pressure
is 3320 psi.
Pressure Traverse
• Example
• Lets calculate the wellhead flowing pressure for
the following production conditions on a well:
– Bottomhole flowing pressure – 3800 psi
– Tubing 2.441” ID (2 7/8”)
– Water Cut 50%

Pressure Traverse

most closely
corresponds to the
known conditions of
production rate and
required for liquid
flowrate and water
cut.

Pressure Traverse
2. Enter the known

pressure on the
pressure axis.
Proceed vertically
appropriate GLRp
curve. Some
required.

Pressure Traverse
3. Proceed from the

intersection point
horizontally to the
depth or distance
vertical axis which
represents a
reference value. The
reference value is
14700 ft.

Pressure Traverse
the pipe.
pressure is the
add to the distance
reference value the
total length of the
pipe.
pressure is the
upstream pressure,
subtract from the
distance reference
of the pipe.
• The result is 2700 ft.

Pressure Traverse

from the previous
axis and proceed
horizontally to the
intersection of the
appropriate GLRp
curve. Some
interpolation may
be required again.

Pressure Traverse
6. From the
intersection point
proceed vertically
and read the final
calculated
pressure.
7. The result is 360
psi.

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Incompressible Fully Developed Flow in Pipes

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Total Pressure Gradient

Gravitational Pressure Gradient

Frictional Pressure Gradient

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• We can see that the gravitational pressure drop is easily calculated

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The transition between laminar and turbulent flow is very important

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The average velocity in the pipe can be obtained by:

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

-0.8 Average Velocity

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The axial pressure gradient in pipes should be a function of the

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• Using those reference values we can obtain the dimensionless

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• We can now define the Reynolds number as:

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• Those experimenst have been conducted by several researches.

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Laminar Critical Zone Transition Complete Turbulent Roughness

102 103 104 105 106 107 108

• Colebrook (Iterative and not valid for Laminar Flow)

f = 0.0056 + 0.5 Re −0.32

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The flow regime in pipes is determined by the Reynolds Number.

• The pressure gradient in the pipe is given by:

• The moody friction factor is:

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The Reynolds Number then becomes.

• To account for the proper units we have:

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The moody friction factor is:

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• To account for the proper units we have:

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The simultaneous flow of two phases of fluids

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

Mauricio G. Prado – The University of Tulsa

• The input volumetric fraction of each phase is defined

• The total mixture volumetric flowrate is given by: