Applied Mathematics and Computing Group

Multiphase Flows

Multiphase flows are of considerable economic importance. In the offshore context, the transport of produced fluid from wellhead to the processing equipment is of particular concern and can affect the viability of marginal and older fields. Maximum efficiency is obtained if the flow is stratified. Unfortunately, many factors such as the topology of the pipeline or the relative flow rates of the components, possibly linked to the age of the well can affect the stability of this regime.

The Multiphase Section of the Applied Mathematics and Computing Group (AMAC) focuses on the development of robust and efficient solutions algorithms for the prediction of one-dimensional transient multiphase flows. This work has already contributed to an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of gas-liquid and gas-liquid-liquid flows in pipelines and also led to the implementation of an in-house research framework called EMAPS.

The validation of the code is obtained using experimental data from various rigs of the PASE department and our collaborators from the TMF project.

Selected publications:

  • C. Omgba-Essama, L. Hanich, C. Thompson and P. Lezeau Adaptive Grid Re_nement for Transient Two-Phase Flows AMIF-ESF Workshop on Computing Methods for Two-phase Flows, Aussois (Savoie)
    France, January 2000
  • L. Hanich and C.P. Thompson Validation of a novel algorithm for the adaptive calculation of transient stratified flow of gas, oil and water in pipelines (Int J for Num Methods in Engineering, Pp. 579{607, Vol.
    51, Issue 5, March 2001)
  • T.G. Myers, J. Charpin and C.P. Thompson Slowly accreting glaze ice due to supercooled water impacting on a cold surface Physics of Fluids, Vol. 14, Issue 1, Pp 240-256, 2002
  • M. Louaked, L. Hanich and C.P. Thompson Well-posedness of incompressible models of two- and three-phase ow IMA J of Num Analysis, Vol 68, Issue 6, Dec 2003: Pp. 595-620
    Also: http://www3.oup.co.uk/imamat/hdb/Volume 68/Issue 06
  • L.C. Daniels, C. Guardino and C.P. Thompson An implicit two-phase compressible flow solver for pipelines Multiphase Science and Technology, Vol. 15, Pp 1-93, 2003
  • L. Hanich and C.P. Thompson Mathematical and Numerical Modelling of Three-Phase Flow in Pipelines. 'Progress in Industrial Mathematics at ECMI 2000', Eds. M. Anile, V. Capasso and A. Greco.
    Mathematics in Industry, Vol. 1, Pp. 565 _, 2002, Springer-Verlag
  • G. Goudinakis, L. Hanich, C. Thompson and H. Yeung Novel ANN methodology for fast identi_cation of ow regimes in a variety of pipeline con_gurations Proceedings, The 11th International Conference MULTIPHASE '03 Extending the Boundaries of Flow Assurance, San Remo, Italy: 11{13 June 2003.
  • P. Loilier, C. Ombga-Essama and C.P. Thompson Numerical experiments of two-phase flow in pipelines with a two-fluid compressible model. Proceedings of 12th International Conference on Multiphase Production Technology '05, Barcelona, Spain, 2005, BHR Group
  • L. Brown, G.F. Hewitt, Bin Hu, C.P. Thompson and P. Verdin, Predictions of droplet distribution in low liquid loading, stratified flow in a large diameter pipeline, Proc 14th Multiphase Production Technology Conference, Cannes (2009)
  • Gourma M., Jia N. and Thompson C.P., Non-Newtonian Multi-Phase Flows: On Drag Reduction, Pressure Drop and Liquid Wall Friction Factor Ms. No.: CES-D-10-01287R1, Chem. Eng. Sci., (To appear)
    Gourma M., Jia N. and Thompson C.P., Adaptive mesh refinement for 1-D transient slug flow with an 'a priori indicator, (In preparation)
  • S. Kalogerakos, M. Gourma and C. P. Thompson. Comparison between 2-D CFD and 1-D code for Wave Growth Simulations, International Conference on Multiphase Flow, 2010, University of Florida.
  • S. Kalogerakos, M. Gourma and C. P. Thompson. Use of 2-D CFD for simulating two-phase flows in horizontal pipes, International Association of Science and Technology for Development, Applied Simulation and Modelling,
    2011. Crete
  • S. Kalogerakos, M. Gourma and C. P. Thompson. Adjustments of velocity profile coefficients for one-dimensional multiphase flow code, Journal of Computational Physics, 2011. In preparation.
  • S. Kalogerakos, M. Gourma and C. P. Thompson. Y-dependent wave growth analysis for VOF model, Multiphase Science and Technology, 2011. In preparation.
  • S. Kalogerakos, M. Gourma and C. P. Thompson. Comparison between 2D
    CFD and experiments for slug flow, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2011. In preparation.
  • S. Kalogerakos, M. Gourma and C. P. Thompson. Use of OpenMP to parallelise a one-dimensional multiphase code, Computer Physics Communication, 2011. In preparation.