Improved and novel prediction methods are described for single-phase and two-phase flow of non-Newtonian fluids in pipes. Good predictions are achieved for pressure drop, liquid holdup fraction, and two-phase flow regime. The methods are applicable to any visco-inelastic non-Newtonian fluid and include the effect of surface roughness. The methods utilize a reference fluid for which validated models exist. For single-phase flow, the use of Newtonian and power-law reference fluids are illustrated. For two-phase flow, a Newtonian reference fluid is used. Focus is given to shear-thinning fluids. The approach is theoretically based and is expected to be more accurate for large, high-pressure pipelines than present correlation methods, which are all primarily based on low-pressure, small-diameter pipe experimental data.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Topics:
Non-Newtonian flow, Pipes, Fluids, Two-phase flow, Non-Newtonian fluids, Flow (Dynamics), High pressure (Physics), Pipelines, Pressure, Pressure drop, Shear (Mechanics), Surface roughness
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