Pressure wave propagation in gas-liquid two-phase flows

• Grant number: 07/08555-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: August 01, 2008 - July 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Seleghim Júnior
• Grantee: Paulo Seleghim Júnior
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The safe and efficient operation of multiphase flow industrial systems is an extremely relevant problem, mostly for the production and transport of oil and gas. The fundamental objective of this research project is to characterize experimentally the propagation of gas-liquid pressure waves generated by operation transients such as the closing of a valve or a pump the shut-down. It is important to stress that the rare studies conducted on this subject are restricted to laboratory conditions not strongly related to actual application conditions: working pressures close to the atmosphere and transport pipes limited to a few meters. (AU)