Predicting Compositional Two-Phase Flow Behavior in Pipelines

Abstract

A computational algorithm for predicting pressure and temperature profiles for compositional two-phase flow in pipelines has been developed. The algorithm is based on the coupling of the momentum and energy balance equations and the phase behavior of the flowing fluids. Mass transfer between the gas and the liquid phases is treated rigorously through flash calculations, making the algorithm capable of handling retrograde condensation. Temperatures can be predicted by applying the enthalpy balance equation iteratively. However, it was found that the explicit Coutler and Bardon analytical solution for the temperature profile yields nearly identical results for horizontal and near horizontal flow.