Differential Pressure Fluctuations Analysis of Stratified to Annular Air-Water Transition Flow in Horizontal Pipe

Syaiful Tambah Putra Ahmad, Resky Gerhana Hidayatullah, Akhmad Afandi, Khasani Khasani, Deendarlianto Deendarlianto

Abstract


Abstract: The transition of flow patterns from stratified to annular regimes in two-phase systems plays a critical role in determining flow stability, pressure drop, and the overall performance of pipeline operations. This study examined differential pressure fluctuations during the transition regime of air–water two-phase flow in a horizontal acrylic pipe with an internal diameter of 26 mm. Experiments were conducted at 12 flow conditions, with superficial gas velocities (JG) ranging from 8 to 14 m/s and liquid velocities (JL) from 0.08 to 0.2 m/s. Differential pressure data were collected in time series and analyzed using the Probability Density Function (PDF) and Power Spectral Density (PSD). The results indicated that increasing JG and JL enhanced interfacial interactions, promoted disturbance waves, and initiated entrainment, leading to the formation of annular flow. PDF analysis showed a shift from narrow peaks in stratified flow to wider, multi-modal distributions in the transition regime, signifying pressure instability. Correspondingly, PSD analysis revealed a rise in dominant frequency and spectral energy as the flow became more dynamic. These findings demonstrated that time series-based PDF and PSD analysis could effectively capture the evolving characteristics of flow regime transitions and serve as diagnostic tools for understanding two-phase flow behaviour.

Keywords


Two-Phase Flow; Flow Pattern Transition; Pressure Gradient; Annular Flow; Stratified Flow.

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References


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