Multiphase Flow Loop
The Multiphase Flow Loop is located indoor to investigate various aspects of multiphase flow. The loop can use pipes of various sizes (1 to 6-in ID) to investigate flow through a single tube or through an annulus. The ability to capture flow parameters with high-resolution impedance probes, high-speed video, pressure and temperature at various locations creates the unique potential for a multi-media database for multiphase phase flow investigation.
Technical specifications
| Operating pressure | 1 – 35 bar |
| Operating temperature | Ambient, limits 5 – 50°C |
| Flow rate, gas | 0.1 – 400 Nm³/h |
| Flow rate, oil | 0.1 – 90 m³/h |
| Flow rate, water | 0.1 – 175 m³/h |
| Gas phase | Air, SF6, any inert gas |
| Oil phase | Any non-flammable, clean oil |
| Water phase | Tap water and brine |
| Near horizontal pipe length | Up to 40 m |
| Inclinations | -45 to 45° |
| Pipe sizes | up to 6″ |
| Vertical pipe length | 14 m |
| Material | Acrylic and stainless steel |
Measurement
- Flow rates
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Flow visualization
- Phase densities
- Phase fractions in the test section
- Phase fractions profile in the separator
- Advanced instrumentation
Investigation
- Detailed multiphase flow in transport lines and wells
- Evaluation of fluid properties effect in the flow
- Independent third-party instrumentation testing and evaluation
Experimental Monitoring
Experimental monitoring can be done in real-time in the Multiphase Flow Loop facilities or remotely. Several aspects ban de monitored, such as pressure drop, temperature, phase fractions, velocity profiles and flow rates of the flows, depending on each experiment. The Multiphase Flow Loop has manometric, differential, and atmospheric pressure gauges with different measurement range to cover the various pressure drops assessed. The temperature is commonly measured using PT100 and thermocouples. The phase fraction monitoring performed by means of impedance sensors, wire-mesh sensors, among others. The velocity profiles are monitored using ultrasound or PIV sensors, with the aid of tracer particles present in the flow. The flow measurements are made with Coriolis type, capable of evaluating not only the flow of each phase but also the density. Finally, high-speed cameras are used to monitor the phenomena present in the flow.
Distributed sensors for real time acquisition feeds a sensing platform which consists of fast impedance sensors and proper data acquisition and management software that aims the investigation of two-phase flow parameters in pipelines. Several sensing nodes are connected through a network which allows monitoring the flow at different pipeline positions. Additionally, a data management web-based platform is present to store and manage the massive volume of data generated by data acquisition.
Wire-mesh sensors belong to flow imaging techniques and allow the investigation of multiphase flows with high spatial and temporal resolution. The wire-mesh sensor principle is based on a matrix-like arrangement of the measuring points. The transmitter electrodes are sequentially activated while all receiver electrodes are parallel sampled, in such a way, that an electrical property (conductivity or permittivity) of the fluid in each crossing point is evaluated. Based on those measurements the sensor is thus able to determine instantaneous fluid distribution across the cross-section, for instance, of a pipe.
Facilities
