Experimental validation of numerical two-phase flow in a horizontal separator
Ahmed Basyouny
Abstract
Multiphase flows have been a significant problem in the oil and gas industry, with many recent reports of failures in industrial piping and equipment due to erosion either from long-term liquid impingements or solid particles. One of the most efficient horizontal sand separators is the product developed by Specialized Desanders Inc., which is called the “Horizontal Desander.” It is a gravity-based separator, and the associated multiphase flow physics has been investigated in this research. This study analyzes the phase separation by applying multiphase numerical analysis using Star CCM + software. Experimental testing with the two-phase flow (air and water) was performed and compared to the numerical results. The Particle Image Velocimetry measurements applied to the two-phase experiment showed that the time-averaged, RMS of velocity fluctuations and the frequency analysis of the air-liquid interface are in an acceptable agreement with the simulation results. Knowledge of the different phase interactions and behavior of multiphase flow is essential in developing and optimizing gravity separators. The results from this study will be the steppingstone to simulate multiphase flows with more than two phases.