Numerical Analysis of Stratified and Slug Flows

The main purpose of this study is to compare two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) two-phase models for both stratified and slug flows. These two flow regimes interest mainly the petroleum and chemical industries. The volume of fluid (VOF) approach is used to predict the interface between the two-phase flows. The stratified turbulent flow corresponds to the oil-water phases through a cylindrical pipe. To simulate the turbulent stratified flow, the k − ω turbulence model is used. The slug laminar flow concerns the kerosene-water phases through a rectangular microchannel. The simulated results are validated using the previous experimental results available in the literature. For the stratified flow, the axial velocity and the water volume fraction profiles obtained by 2D and 3D models approximate the measurement profiles at the same test section. Also, the T-junction in a 2D model affects only the inlet vicinity. For downstream, the 2D and 3D models lead to the same axial velocity and water volume distribution. For the slug flow, the simulated results show that the 3D model predicts the thin film wall contrary to the 2D model. Moreover, the 2D model underestimates the slug length.