Turbulent flow of hydrates in a pipeline of complex configuration

The present paper describes an experimental study of Freon R11 hydrate transport in a turbulent flow through a model-scale pipeline of complex configuration. The frictional pressure losses as a function of the hydrate phase concentration were determined, and isokinetic sampling was performed for the determination of mean particle size. The experimental rig was modelled using an Eulerian-Eulerian CFD model which was validated with the experimental results. The detailed flow patterns in the pipeline and some other process parameters were determined by the CFD simulations, elucidating further the flow of the slurry in the pipeline. In addition the influence of gravity in densifying the particles under conditions of low Reynolds numbers was studied. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.