Pergamon

Ckmfeal

Engineering Science, Vol. 49, No. Printed in Great

II. pp. 1769-1701.

,994

Cnpyrtght Q 1994Elwvier ooo9-2509(94)E0021-4

Science L.,d

Britain. All rights revved lxm552509M s6.00 + mm

SEPARATED TWO-PHASE FLOW IN A ROTATING ANNULUS: APPLICATION TO THE EXTRACTION OF LIQUID PHASE
JEAN-MICHEL ROSANT, CLAUDE REY and ABDERRAHIM BENMERZOUKA Laboratoire de Mkanique des Fluides, URA CNRS no 1217, 1 rue de la No& 44072 Nantes Cedes 03, France 1 June 1993; accepted for publication 9 November 1993) JACK LEGRAND,

Ecole Centrale de Names,

(Received

Abstract-Vertical upward cocurrent gas-liquid flow in a short annular rotating separator was expcrimentally investigated. The liquid film thicknesswas measured with a conductimetric method and the axial velocity profiles in the liquid phase were determined from laser measurement (LDA). The obtained axial velocity distributions at the outlet of the centrifugal separator allow satisfactory withdrawal of the separated liquid phase. A model, using a lamisar gas/turbulent liquid scheme, is proposed to predict the position of the interface and the liquid axial velocity profile. The model is obtained from a parametric analysis of the gas-liquid flow with separated phases. The model results are rather satisfactory to predict the conditions leading to a good extraction of the liquid phase

INTRODUCTION

Two-phase flows are of particular importance in the chemical engineering and oil-gas industries, especially for offshore oil exploitation. Now, the newly discovered oil fields are located in deep water and, furthermore, their average size is increasingly smaller. Therefore, concerning petroleum engineering projects, the aim of recently developed studies is to define and qualify subsea two-phase production systems (process and equipment), which seems an economically attractive answer. So as to ensure a correct working of industrial two-phase machinery, a liquid flow is sometimes to be fed upstream to obtain a nearly constant gas-liquid proportion. A solution to this problem is to incorporate an annular rotating separator in the hydraulic circuit in order to extract and recycle a part of the liquid flow. The aim of the present paper is to analyze the velocity profiles in and downstream of the centrifugal separator, causing the obtention of a separated two-phase flow. A precise knowledge of the flow configuration is necessary to recover the liquid phase locally. A model is proposed to predict the position of the interface and the liquid velocity profiles. The case of laminar gas/turbulent liquid flaws have been investigated. Some works deal with the problem of separated twophase flow in circular and annular geometries. Russel and Charles (1959) treated the laminar problem, pointing out the effect of the fluid viscosity upon the pressure drop. Recently, Reza and Martin (1988) solved the separated laminar/laminar flow and gave

I.U.T., Laboratoire de Genie des Pro&d&, 58 Rue Michel Ange, B.P. 420, 44606 Saint-Nazaire Ceder;, France. Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

the velocity profiles in parallel plates stratified flow, annular flow in circular tubes and stratified flow in circular and elliptical tubes. Rotating flows are often used in order to separate particles in gas or liquid suspensions. Centrifugal separation is realized in stacked conical disks (disk-stack centrifuge) or in an annular geometry (tubular-bowl centrifuge). Many industrial devices operate using these types of design (Hetsroni, 1982). The dispersed phase generally represents a small part of the mixture volume and the objective is to obtain a perfect separation. For increasing the residence time and, consequently, the separation efficiency, the flow rate travelling in the centrifuge device is small and the rotation speed is very high. Those conditions are not necessary for liquid/gas flow. In a cyclone, a vortex motion is generated by a tangential inlet. The most commonly used geometry system is the reverse-flow cyclone. Local measurements concerning axial and tangential velocities have been produced by Fanglu and Wenzhen (1987) in hydrocyclones with air column in the central region. Experimental data related to axial velocities in cylindrical cyclone chambers or expanded swirling flows are commented by Duggins and Frith (1987). Over-velocities near the external cylinder and negative velocities in the central region are observed. To the authors knowledge, no data dealing with rotating annuli are available. In this paper, experiments were carried out in air-water two-phase flows. The liquid film thickness was determined by using a conductimetric method and the liquid axial and tangential velocity profiles were obtained from laser Doppler anemometry (LDA). The experimental measurements are used to develop a model predicting the interface position and liquid flow behavior.

1769

1770

JEAN-MICHEL

ROSANT

~1.

liquid flowmeter, (5) liquid injection valves,(6) motor, (7) separatdr column, (8) exhaust to atmosphere, (9) recycle liquid, (10) compressor, (11) pressure-reducer valve, (12) gas tank, (13) sonic nozzle and (14) gas injection valves.
EXPERIMENTAL

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of experimental

apparatus: (1) water tat& (2) water pump, (3) bypass circuit, (4)

setup is shown in Fig. 1. A centrifugal pump allowed the liquid circulation to the gas-liquid separator from a 1 m3-tank. The water flow metering was done using a set of calibrated orifices and the flow rate was varied between 1 and 16 m3 h (corresponding to Reynolds number values greater than 2300). The liquid entered the separator through six injectors, uniformly distributed and inclined at 20 from the vertical. An air compressor ensured a maximum flow rate of 50 m3 h-l (normal conditions) with a pressure of 7 bar. Air flow metering was done using two different sonic nozzles, placed downstream of the air tank (Fig. 1). The air entered the bottom of the separator through a sintered metal cone of 25 pm pore size and the mean diameter of produced bubbles was between 2 and 4 mm. The vertical annular centrifugal separator (Fig. 2) consisted of an inner rotating cylinder of 50 mm in diameter and about 1 m in height, which was made of stainless steel. The inner cylinder (shaft) was coupled with a 2.2 kW asynchrone motor and the rotation speed was varied between 300 and 3000 rpm. The outer cylinder was made of Plexiglas and was divided into three rotating or stationary pieces. Then, the separator was composed of three different parts:
The experimental

--~ in the central part (called rotating cell) of the centrifugal separator, the 350 mm long rotating annulus consisted of a 104 mm diameter outer rotating cylinder which was connected to the inner rotating one by four blades. Furthermore, the two cylinders had the same rotation speed. The blades were 2SOmm long to obtain a 1OOmm long annulus without blades at the end of the rotating annulus. The entire centrifugal separator with the three parts was placed inside a 800 mm long transparent cylindrical jacket to avoid leakage at the junction between stationary and rotating outer cylinders. The thickness of the liquid film was determined using a film conductance method (Hewitt, 1982): The probe consisted of two 14mm diameter cylindrical two-pin electrodes, made of stainless steel. The twopin electrodes were fed by an alternative current of 1 kHz. The resulting tension was function of the liquid film thickness and the resistivity of the water. The conductance electrodes were placed at five different axial positions in the downstream cell (locations l-5, Fig. 2). At each section, three electrodes were spaced out, respectively 27, and 81 mm. The calibration of the conductance probes was done in the test cell in the one-phase liquid flow. The liquid film width was varied by annular pieces of different sizes placed around the inner cylinder. The velocity measurement was taken in two sections A and B and two radial directions (Fig. 2) with a DISA mode1 laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) employed in the forward scattering mode. One laser beam was frequency-shifted using a Bragg cell and the measurement in recirculating flows was adapted by an electronic adjustment of the shift. For determining axial velocity profiles, it was necessary to move the

-the upstream part (called inlet cell) consisted of an outer stationary cylinder 200 mm long and 104 mm in diameter. The two-phase flow was rather homogeneous in this section (bubbly flow, with bubbles of 2-4 mm in diameter), -the downstream part (called outlet cell) consisted of a 200 mm long and 104 mm diameter outer stationary cylinder. At the outlet, the air flow was finally released to the atmosphere and the liquid was collected toward the tank,

Separated two-phase flow in a rotating annulus

1771

tcady cylinder 9 104x110 I)

---@

-&DA measurenent-

Directions in Sections

1 and 1 @ and @

Vllf
External separator cross-section
pressure
6___.

with four blades

cylinder 11

(I 123x133

tap

k
t

Steedv

cylinder (@ 104x110 II)

---a

conductance

electrodea

2 air injectors _'

6 water injectors
devices

Fig. 2. Centrifugal separator: description of the system and arrangement of measurement

measuring

volume following a radial direction taking into account the different refractive indexes of Plexiglas, air and water. The laser beams were in the same vertical plane. The beam intersection angle al-

lowed the determination of the measuring volume position for each radial location (see Appendix B). Further details of the velocity measurement are provided by Benmerzouka (1989).

CES 49:11-F

1772
EXPERIMENTALRESULTS

JEAN-MICHEL

ROSP~NT eta/.

Visualization experiments were carried out to find out the experimental conditions for obtaining a correct operation of the centrifugal separator. For rotating speeds less than 500 rpm, the two-phase flow was unstable with gas plugs. For low values of the liquid flow rate (Qt c 4 m3 h-l), because of the centrifugal effects, the free surface was sucked up against the wall when the cell started to rotate; this behavior was also observed for Q,/Q, > 3. Otherwise, a satisfactory gas-liquid separation was obtained for Q,/Q, < 3. In the experiments, the two-phase flow rate (Q, + QJ was maintained proportional to the rotation speed in order to simulate a separator coupled with a twophase pump: fl/(Q, + Q,) = 3.14 x 1O*4 rdm; The mean thickness of the liquid film was determined with two-pin electrodes located at different axial positions. Channels 1 and 2 were located in the inlet cell, where a bubbly flow was imposed; otherwise, channels 3-5 were located in the outlet cell and submitted to the separated flow. No difference can be noted, the film conductance method is not adapted to determine the flow configuration (bubbly flow or annular flow) when the void fraction is low. The mean thickness decreases when the flowrate Q,/Qr increases for all rotation speeds of the annulus studied. For the low values of Qs/Qr, the mean thickness is quasiindependent of the axial positions. Otherwise, for high values of Q,/Q,, the mean liquid film thickness decreases significantly due to the liquid film suction at the outlet of the cell when the liquid flow rate is relatively small. First, the axial velocity profiles were determined in one-phase liquid flow, in the rotating cell (Section A)

R
I I I I

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Fig. 4. Axial velocity profiles in section B (z = 0.175 m) for single-phase liquid flow.

1.

w4l*

0.5

0.

-0.:

R
I I 1

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Fig. 3. Axial velocity profiles in section A (P = 0.07 m) for

single-phase liquid flow, with R = (I -

R,)/(RZ - RI).

and the exit cell (Section B). Near the outer cylinder (0.6 < R < l), there is a peak velocity region with a maximum value at about R = 0.9 (Fig. 3). This overvelocities region is compensated by a negative velocities region near the inner cylinder, where the minimum values of the axial velocity depends on the rotation speed and on the liquid flow rate. The same observation can be made for Section B (Fig. 4). However, the maximum value of the velocity is significantly greater, for given hydrodynamic conditions in the rotating cell (Section A), than in the outlet cell (Section B). This result shows the influence of the rotation on the flow structure near the outer cylinder. For a rotation speed of 1000 rpm, two-phase axial velocity profiles are given in Figs 5 and 6 for the two sections and for the two radial directions. In both figures, we can notice that axial velocity profiles are not really symmetric in the separated liquid phase. The profiles present a very sharp evolution near the outer cylinder (0.6 < R < 0.9) with a maximum for R = 0.9. The maximum velocity value depends on the rotation speed. For Q,/Q, < 1 (Figs 5 and 6), the axial velocity is always positive, but for Q,/Q, > 1, there is a recirculation zone for 0 < R < 0.5 with negative axial velocities. The minimum velocity value is essentially a function of the flow rates ratio. Axial liquid velocity profiles obtained in one-phase flow (Figs 3 and 4) and in two-phase flow (Figs 5 and 6) have the same shape, especially near the outer cylinder (0.6 -Z R < i), where the maximum velocity is about at R = 0.9. Maximum axial velocity values in onephase and two-phase flows are given in Table 1. and it can be noticed that they have the same order of magnitude. On the contrary, the recirculation flow is more accentuated in one-phase flow. In particular, near the inner cylinder (0.1 < R < 0.2), axial velocities

Separated two-phase flow in a rotating annulus

1. -8,.

1773

0.5

0.

-0.5

Fig. 5. Axial velocity profiles in section A for separated liquid flow (two-phase Row).

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Fig. 6. Axial velocity profiles in section B for separated liquid flow (two-phase flow).

are generally negative, while, for separated liquid phase, they become positive near the gas-liquid interface, due to the air entrainment. The increase of the gas velocity enhances the interfacial velocity and, consequently, the liquid phase near the interface is swept off. The existence of annular gas phase, of 2-3 mm film thickness, involves a diminution of liquid crosssectional area and thus an increase of values of the liquid axial velocity in the region between the interface and R N 0.5. But, the gas phase has no preponderant effect on the shape of axial liquid velocity profile (peak velocity near the wall and recirculation near the interface) on the contrary, the centrifugal effect is essential to promote the gas-liquid separation and to induce the shape of liquid axial velocity profiles.

It can be emphasized that the shape of the axial velocity profiles obtained in the flow configuration studied is also observed in annular swirling decaying flows, where the fluid rotation is induced by tangential inlets; as in cyclones (Duggins and Frith, 1987) and in expanding swirling Rows (Legentilhomme and Legrand, 1991). In both cases. there is a recirculation zone near the inner cylinder and an over-velocity near the outer one.
MODEL

The parametric analysis of the vertical upward cocurrent gas-liquid flow with separated phases in rotating annulus allows to model the distribution of the mean velocity in the liquid phase. The prediction of the liquid velocity profile is very useful to obtain

1774

JEAN-MICHEL ROSANT eta!. Table 1. Maximum axial velocities for one-phase and two-phase flows is the mean value of the maximum velocities obtained in the two (Wt.%%, radiat directions)
One-phase (section flow A) WMAX Two-phase

(section A)

flow

Rotation speed @pm) loo0

1000 1500 1500 2ocQ

Ql
(m3hm) 8.0
6.0 8.0 6.0 8.0

(ms-) 0.80
0.75 1.05 1.06 1.39

QJQI
0.5 1.0

Q1 (mh-)
8.0 6.0 9.0 6.0 8.0

(ms-)
0.88 0.92 I .02 1.05 1.24

WMAX

a correct extraction of the liquid phase at the outlet of the separator. The present model is based on the following assumptions: isothermal and stationary flow, (ii) no interfacial mass transfer, (iii) the radial velocity is assumed to be negligible and the axial and tangential flow components in the separated liquid phase are decoupled. The rotation effects on the axial velocity profile are taken into account through a parameter function of the Rossby number. This parameter is obtained from the experiments. The interface position only depends on the axial flow properties, (iv) the flow regime, laminar or turbulent, is established in the gas and liquid phases, and the liquid film thickness is constant.
Determination

(9 incompressible,

Fig. 7. Sketch of rotating annulus for the determination the external forces balances.

of

of the interface position

annular duct:

The two-phase flow can be calculated using overall models in which flow pattern is not considered. In a fixed geometry, those models provide useful predictions of the frictional pressure drop and the void fraction (gas fraction), depending on the actual gas and liquid flow rates. In the homogeneous flow model (Wallis, 1969), the two phases are thoroughly mixed and travel with equal velocities. This scheme does not seem to be appropriate in the case of separated annular flow with a significant slip velocity between the phases. The well-known empirical correlation of Lockhart and Martinelli (1949) is based on data obtained in horizontal circular pipes and the void fraction only depends on the Martinelli parameter. Different assumptions are used for the slip velocity and allow direct calculation of the void fraction (Whalley, 1987). A relevant correlation is proposed by Spedding and Chen (1984) for upward vertical two-phase flow in circular ducts. Finally, these overall models are not particularly developed for annular ducts and they cannot take into account, in any way, the rotation effects. If the void fraction a is known, it is easy to calculate the interface position for the annular configuration in

y = ,/Rf

+ a(R$ - R:).

(1)

By assuming the separated flow and stationary conditions in the annulus, in terms of average quantities, the interface is a circular cylinder and its position is controlled by force balances in the two phases. In the gas volume element (Fig. 7), delimited by the interface and the inner cylinder, the external force balance leads to the axial pressure gradient:
Z(r,R, y2 + TiY)
R:

- P&

(2)

The same balance is also made in the liquid volume element (Fig. 7):
2(tiY R$ -

r1R2)
yz

PlS-

(3)

The wall stresses rg, TV and the interfacial stress ti are algebraic quantities as defined in Fig. 7. From both above equations, the equilibrium relation is obtained by eliminating the pressure gradient

Separated two-phase flow in a rotating annulus which is identical 2(t,y - r,R,)(y in the two phases: - R:) +
W,R1 +

1775

riv)(R:

- Y) (4)

- A.pg(R: - y2)(y2 - R:) = 0

where Ap = p, - pa and y, the position of the interface, is a solution of (4) if the shear stresses are known. Shear stresses determination In single-phase flow, wall shear stress is generally evaluated using a friction factor defined as:

where W, is the mean velocity in the gas phase, or the slip velocity between the phases (in upward annular two-phase flow, W, 9 W,). Numerous expressions have been proposed for modelling the interfacial friction factor for gas-liquid annular flows in circular pipe. For instance, the most commonly used form is Walliss (1970): fi =b(L + 360;)

f&L

PW2

where W is a characteristic velocity scale (usually, Wis the bulk velocity). The friction factor is a function of Reynolds number and can be related also to the wall roughness. For annular laminar flow with smooth walls, the average friction factor is deduced from the pressure drop. In steady flow, it depends on the ratio r~ = RJR, as (Shah and London, 1978):

f=g

(I -

v2

1+,2-g+

(6)

where f. is the friction factor related to smooth wall, E the liquid film thickness and D the pipe diameter. In comparison with the rough pipe correlation of Nikuradse, this relationship indicates that the effective interfacial roughness is approximately four times the film thickness. Interfacial gas-liquid friction with separated phases is also patent in horizontal stratified flow. In this case, in order to characterize the roughness of the interface and its slip velocity, standard properties of the boundary layer are employed in the usual models. Different experimental correlations have been proposed and that of Ellis and Gay (1959): fi = 0.65 Re,0.57 (10)

For turbulent flow in annuli with smooth walls, the average friction factor can be expressed with a powerlaw equation similar to Blasius (Sadatomi et al., 1982):

The turbulent flow regime occurs for values of Reynolds number down to 3000 (Schlichting, 1979). The transition is favored by wall or interface roughness which acts as turbulence promoter (Storck and Hutin, 1981). The friction factor sharply increases, depending on the corrugation height and length. The effects of rotation on the flow regime is a more complicated problem (Kikuyama et al., 1983). A flow stabilization (laminarization) can be observed in a circular rotating pipe if the axial flow is initially turbulent. On the contrary, if the axial flow is initially laminar, the rotation seems to have a destablizing effect. Generally, rotating Poiseuille flows are treated by assuming decoupled behaviors of axial and tangential components. Because of their industrial interest, gas-liquid annular flows in circular pipe have been widely studied. The annular configuration is observed in upward twophase flow for high values of gas velocity. The liquid ftlm on the pipe wall is thin, the interface is perturbed, with ripples and large disturbance waves, and drops are entrained into the gas core. Annular flow is then treated using the same approach as in single-phase flow in regard to wall stress. Concerning interfacial stress, the interface is considered as a rough wall (solid boundary) with respect to the gas flow and the interfacial friction factor is defined as follows:

can be used if the interface is hydrodynamically smooth. It can be noticed that those interfacial friction laws principally make use of physical parameters related to the gas flow for a given liquid film thickness. Corresponding to the previously given correlations, the gas flow is usually turbulent is separated two-phase flow. In the present study, in our practical conditions and with a single-phase criterion, the gas flow is not turbulent. If a laminar velocity profile is assumed in the gas phase, to a given value of the interfacial stress corresponds a value for the interfacial velocity. Thus, if the interfacial stress is greater than the inner wall stress, the interfacial velocity is negative (opposite direction of the mean flow). These conditions are obviously met for friction law described by the relationship (9). On the contrary, a relationship like (lo), valid in turbulent flow but used in laminar conditions gives a positive interfacial velocity. The choice between stress or velocity as boundary condition at interface remains an open problem.

(8)

Modelling of the axial velocity in the liquid phase According to the flow conditions and supported by local velocity measurement (Benmenouka, 1989), the liquid-phase flow is assumed to be turbulent. The axial velocity profile is proposed using a l/7 power law. With this choice, the boundary conditions are only concerned with the velocity conditions, at the wall, W = 0, and at the interface, Wi. The turbulent velocity profiles in the separated liquid phase are obtained in the same way as the turbulent velocity in an annulus [see Appendix A]. A first solution, W,(r), is valid near the outer cylinder, by using the boundary

1776

JEAN-MICHELROSANT et al.

condition

at r = R2, i.e.

W,(r) = Al

- (RZ- y2P
Log $

Log

Rl

1
(11)
by

The second solution is valid near the interface, using the boundary condition at r = y:
W,(r) = Al

laws leads to unrealistic values for the interfacial velocity. On the other hand, a weighted parameter, y. is introduced in order to associate the two foregoing solutions [eqs (11) and (12)], thereby taking into account the two boundary conditions, at r = y and r = R,. The parameter y is defined here by the ratio of outer wall friction forces to the sum of friction forces at the gas-liquid interface. Thus, we have G2
t,Rz + riy

(r - y)

(R; -

y2)

Log f

Log 3 Y

1
(13)

Y=

(14)

(12)

Finally, the liquid velocity profile is obtained by a linear combination of the weighted profiles [see Appendix A]. By using the flow rate conservation, the turbulent velocity profile in the separated liquid phase
has the following form: W(r) = yk W,(r) + (1 - yk)W,(r). The

The parameters A, and A2 are calculated from the value of the volumetric flow rate, the interfacial velocity being given. Without a better knowledge of the interfacial region, we propose to take: wi = 0

(15)

in the present model. This assumption is consistent with the experimental data (Figs 5 and 6). Moreover, the use of the empirical relations derived from friction

influence of the rotation on the liquid flow is expressed by the coefficient k. The value of k is determined by assuming that the maximum velocity calculated by the model is equal to the experimental one, near the outer cylinder. Thus, k is related to the rotation speed of the annulus. The empirical correlation connecting the maximum velocity with the rota-

liquuid fib thickMu c-1 25

20

15

10

I-

1 Fig. 8. Comparison

of different models for the prediction of the liquid film thickness Overall two-phase flow mod& (d) homogeneous model, Wallis (1969) (e) Lockhart and Martinelli (1949)

Separated two-phase flow models (a) laminar-laminar model model

laminar-gas/turbulent-liquid (b) Ellis and Gay (1959) (c) Wallis (1970)

(f) Spedding and Chen (1984) (g) CISE correlation, Whalley (1987)

Separated two-phase

flow in a rotating annulus

1777

tion effects constitutes present axial velocity

the closure relationship model.

for the

COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS WITH MODEL PREDICTIONS

jilm thickness The measured values with the film conductance method of mean liquid film thickness are valid with the interface position estimated from LDA measurement, or with visual and photographic observations. Conductance probes are particularly convenient for thin liquid films. With thick liquid film, the conductivity response is not very sensitive and, considering the circumferential probes spacing, the average process is not controlled. Consequently, using the film admittance technique, the mean liquid thickness is known with an estimated accuracy of 2 mm. For Q,/Ql values lower than three, no free surface effect appears in the measurement section and for all investigated rotation speeds, typically from 500 to 3000 rpm, the liquid film remains thick (E r 20 mm). The shaft can be rewetted by the liquid phase at low rotation speeds, when the interface is really perturbed. Because of centrifugal effects, at higher rotation speeds, the interface becomes relatively smooth with small disturbance ripples. No notable variation is observed for the mean film thickness in the different measurement sections. The experimental values correspond to the averaged data obtained in the three sections located in the outlet cell. Experimental results have been compared with the predictions given by two-phase flow correlations and by the separated flow scheme, using an interfacial shear stress model. In the calculations, rotation effects

Liquid

do not occur. They are taken into account only through liquid and gas flow rates which are proportional to the rotation speed at a given value of Q,/Q,. In Fig. 8, the present data obtained at a rotation speed of 1500 rpm are compared with several two-phase flow models. Very poor agreement is found. In contrast, annular separated flow models resolving eq. (4) seem to give a better description of the real flow with an accurate position of the interface. The laminar gas/laminar liquid model with continuity of the velocity and the shear stress at the smooth interface always gives a very small cross-sectional area for the gas flow, for studied flow rate conditions and for all values of rotation speeds. The measured values of the film thickness are slightly over predicted by this model. The laminar gas/turbulent liquid model is tested with two different interfacial friction factor: fi = 0.65 Re;. for smooth interface (Ellis and Gay, 1959) and
(16)

f;=f,

(1+180y >

(17)

for rough interface (Wallis, 1970). Predicted thickness decreases slowly when Q,/Q, increases, as for experimental results. Because of the measurement accuracy, the present data do not allow to validate either of these two models and both correlations give satisfactory predictions (Fig. 9). The measured liquid film thickness varies slightly with rotation speeds (changing the flow rates with the same ratio Q,/Q,). The discrepancy between experimental data and calculated values remains within the limits of the measurement uncertainty.

0.5 Fig. 9. Comparison

1.

1.5

2.

model: experiment for the mean liquid film thickness at different Q,/Q, values (curves b and c are defined in Fig. 13).

1778
Lx bJd *..1

JEAN-MICHEL

ROSANTel al.

5 Fig. 10. Variation of the maximum

lo velocity W,,,

15

20

with Rossby number.

25

30

35

40

45 r r-1

50

Fig. 11. Comparison

model: experiment

for the liquid axial velocity profiles at different rotation speeds.

Liquid axial velocity profiles

The liquid axial velocity W,(r) is expressed by eq. (15) and depends on the parameter k which takes the rotation effects into account. We have established an experimental correlation between the maximum axial velocity WMAx and a parameter characterizing the rotation effects. The maximum velocity is computed by averaging the experimental values of the maximum velocities obtained in the two radial directions. A linear relation between the velocity ratio WnAx/Wdrcnrr where Wdresl is the mean velocity calculated from the experimental axial velocity profile, and the Rossby number is shown in Fig. 10 and is expressed by: WMAX __ = 0.18Ro W&r + 1.2,

at the outer wall: a rotation cylinder followed by a stationary one. The overvelocities near the outer walls in sections A and B are caused by this discontinuity. The interest of using Wdrcsl as velocity scale is to take into account the possible asymmetry of the axial velocity profile. The parameter k(Ro) is deduced from eq. (15) by setting W(r,) = W,,x. Thereby, we obtain
k(Rnj =

CO.18 Ro + WWd,,,,
rCwI(rM) -

- W&M)

W2(rM)l

(19)

(18)

where y is calculated from eq. (14) and rM is the location of the maximum of the axial velocity. The theoretical value of rM is numerically obtained from the model profile [eq. (15)], resolving the following equation:

This correlation is valid for this type of centrifugal separator with a discontinuity of boundary condition

aw, = ar -I
0.
r=ry

cm

Separated

two-phase

dew

in a rotating

annulus

1779

The value of rM corresponds to the largest root. The comparison of experimental and model velocity profiles is given in Fig. 11. The prediction of the proposed model is shown to be relatively good. The experimental values of RM which are equal to about 0.9 (or rM = 0.05 m) for all the experimental conditions (Figs 5 and 6), are in agreement with those obtained by the model (Fig. 11). Nevertheless, in the recirculation zone, there is a significant discrepancy between the prediction and the experimental values of the axial velocities; the model overestimates the values of the minimum axial velocity. In the considered technological applications, the extraction tool is adapted on the external fixed cylinder, at the outlet of the separator. The design and the location of this apparatus are partly determined by the behavior of the liquid flow near the external wall. The model, using the empirical correlation for the determination of the maximum velocity leads to a satisfactory prediction for the liquid flow in the region of interest. A better understanding of the interfacial region and, particularly of the interfacial velocity with the present approach, should be requested in order IO complete the modelling.

ing to note that this discontinuity has an influence on relatively long distance, inasmuch as the centrifugal separator is generally short. The centrifugal separator is modelled using a parametric analysis of separated flows which leads to a noncoupling model. The rotation effects on the liquid velocity profiles are taken into account by a proposed empirical expression, which assumes a linear relationship between the maximum velocity, due to the discontinuity and the Rossby number. The model gives a correct prediction of the liquid film thickness and the axial velocity profiles are acceptably estimated. These two parameters are essential for the calculation and the design of this type of centrifugal separator, in particular for the position of the liquid flow rate extraction system. We have also tested different expressions of the shear stresses to model the liquid film thickness correctly.

Acknowledgement-The

stitut Fran@

authors would like to thank Llndu Petrole (IFP) for funding this project.

NOTATION CONCLUSION
AND

APPLICATION

OF THE RESULTS

e E

The main objective of this work was to propose a centrifugal separator allowing the extraction of the liquid phase from liquid-gas flow at the exit. Such a separator will ensure a nearly constant gas-liquid ratio in two-phase pump or machinery. It has been shown in the present study that the annular rotating system is an efficient separator and that the axial velocity profile is maintained downstream of the separator allowing a convenient withdrawal of the separated liquid phase. All the experiments were performed with air-water flow and the experimental conditions were generally limited to two-phase flow rates simulating the characteristics of two-phase volumetric pumps. The experimental results have demonstrated the interest of the proposed centrifugal separator. -First, an industrial gas-liquid separation can be carried out using a short apparatus with low rotation speed. The centrifugal effects remain at the outlet of the separator, even for low rotation speed (1000 rpm). - Secondly, the liquid film is thick at the outlet of the separator, thereby allowing to obtain a partial liquid phase extraction without perturbation by the gas phase. -Thirdly, the axial velocity profiles in the annulus liquid phase downstream of the separator result in an easy liquid flow rate withdrawal. The discontinuity between the rotating outer cell gives axial velocity profiles with an over-velocity zone near the outer stationary cylinder. This type of profile allows easy location of an extraction systern at the exit of the separator. It is also interest-

annular gap thickness ( = R, - R,), m liquid film thickness ( = R2 - y), m gas friction factor ( = 2T,/pWd,Z) gas interfacial friction factor ( = 2rJ paWd,2) liquid friction factor ( = 2T,/p,Wd:) acceleration due to gravity, m/s2 pressure, Pa volumetric flow rate, m/s radius, m nondimensional radius ( = (r - R1)/(R2 - RI)) radius of the inner cylinder, m radius of the outer cylinder, m Reynolds number ( = 2pWd,c/p) gas Reynolds number ( = Zp,Wd,(e 0/p,) liquid Reynolds number ( = Zp,WdtE/flt) Rossby number ( = Q(R, - R,)/Wd,) cross-sectional area, rnz velocity fluctuations, m/s axial velocity, m/s mean axial velocity calculated from the flow rate, m/s mean axial velocity calculated from the experimental velocity profile, m/s interface position on the radius, m axial distance, m

RI
R2

R.? R% RQ RO s 4 v, w W Wd Wd,.., Y z Greek letters

01

9 P P 5 R

void fraction radius ratio ( = RI/RI ) dynamic viscosity, Pas density, kg m- 3 shear stress, Pa rotation speed, rad s- *

1780 Subscripts g gas

JEAN-MICHEL ROSANT et with

AI.

; M, MAX

t
z 1 2

interface liquid maximum turbulent z-coordinate inner cylinder outer cylinder

REFERENCES

A=az=az+pg.

ap*

ap
concept, we have

Introducing

the eddy viscosity -

--puw=par

aw

The eddy viscosity p, is a function of r, Re and TO, the Taylor number (TA = Re Ro). The shear stress is written as

A., 1989, Etude de la Configuration Diphasique Annulaire dans un Dispositif Toumant. Application au Problerne de la Separation Centrifuge Liquide-Gax. Thesis, E.N.S.M.-Universite de Nantes. Duggins, R. K. and Frith, P. C. W., 1987, Turbulence etfects in hydrocyclones, in Proceedings of the 3rd International Conjerence on Hydrocyclones. Oxford, 30 September-2 October. Ellis, S. R. M. and Gay, B., 1959, The separated flow of two fluid streams: interfacial shear and fluid-fluid interaction. T~AII.Y. Znstn them. Engrs 37, 206-213. Fanglu, G. and Wenxhen, L., 1987, Measurement and study of velocity field in various cyclones by use of laser Doppler anemometry, in Proceedings of the 3rd International ConOxford, 30 Septemberference in Hydrocyclones. 2 October. Hetsroni, G., 1982, Handbook ojMultiphass Systems. Hemisphere, and McGraw-Hill. Hewitt,_ G. F., 1982, Measurement techniques, in Handbook of Multiphase Systems (Edited by G. Hetsroni). Hemisphere and McGraw-Hill. Kikuyama, K., Murakami, M., Nishibori, K. and Maeda, K., 1983, Flow in an axially rotating pipe. Bull. JSME 26, 506-5 13. Legentilhomme, P. and Legrand. J., 1991, The effects of inlet conditions on mass transfer in annular swirling decaying flow. Inc. J. Hear MASS Transfer 3(, 1281-1291. Lockhart, R. W. and Martinelli, R. C., 1949, Proposed correlation of data for isothermal two-phase, two component flow in pipes. CZrem. Engng Prog. 45(l) 39-48. Rexa, J. and Martin, H., 1988, Analytical and numerical studies of separated laminar two-phase flow in elliptical ducts of arbitrary axis ratio. Chem. Engng Proc. 24, 121-132. Russe), T. W. F. and Charles, M. E., 1959, The eRect of the less viscous liquid in the laminar flaw of two immiscible liquids. Can. .Z. Chem. Engng 37, 18-24. Sadatomi, M., Sato, Y. and Saruwatrari, S., 1982, Two-phase Bow in vertical non-circular channels. Znt J. Multiphase Flow 8, 64-655. Schlichtmg, H., 1979, Boundary Layer Theory. McGraw-Hill. Shah, R. K. and London, A. L., 1978. Lominar Flow Forced Conuedion in Ducts. Academic Press, New-York. Spedding, P. L. and Chen, J. J. J., 1984, Holdup in two-phase Bow. Znt. J. Multiphase Flow, 10, 307-339. Storck, A. and Hutin, D., 1981, Mass transfer and pressure drop performance of turbulence promoters in electrochemical cells. Electrochim. Acta, 26, 127-137. Wallis. G. B., 1969, One Dimensional Two-Phase Flow. McGraw-Hill, New-York. Wallis, G. B., 1970, Annular two-phase flow-II. Additional effects. J. Basic Engng 92, 73-82. Whalley, P. B., 1987, Boiling, Condensation nnd Gas-Liquid Flow, Oxford Science Publ., Clarendon Press, Oxford.
APPENDIX AZ ONE PHASE TURRULENT VELOCITY PROFILE IN ROTATING ANNULUS

Benmenouka,

The integration

of eq. (A4) with pc, 5 p leads to

A

B dr. Pt (A5)

W(r) = The boundary conditions

5
a, give

z+; -

Equation (A6) is verified for any values of A = aP*/dz. Thus, B has to be written on the following form: B = Ab(Re, TA). Equation (AS) becomes W(r) = A The expression of the volumetric
Q =2nA

RArdr -= R, 2CI

Ra B - dr. s R, rfic,

bw

(A71

648)
flow rate is given by (A9) is written as

Rzrdr :,sdr. I 11 s

The pressure

drop coefficient

1 in the annulus

Assuming that 1 following

1 = Combining

the Blasius
4.

law, we have
(Al 1)

(K(To)Re)_

eqs (AlO) and (Al 1), we obtain

Q=

-A

w(&l($)r,.

(A12)

From eqs (A9) and (AIZ), we have ja:rdrJi, E(F) dr - 2(2R1 + e)e57(4K(Ta))7

. (A13)
Considering r and setting Blasius law, smooth tube that e * is due to the double integration over RI = 0, cq. (A13) allows to obtain, by using the the classical turbulent velocity distribution in of diameter D: W(r) = W,,, An identical an annulus: anaysis

> ( >
I/1

1- D

leads to the turbulent

velocity

profile in

W(r) = A (Rt - r) - (Rz - R1)17 Log (r/R,) Log (R with A, = 2~&[4K(Te)](2R, + e) R: 7R, 49 (2R,/e + 1) 42 + 4e + 60 Log(R,/R,)

1 l& 1

(AJ5) 6416)

The axial shear stress is given by the following aW _ A B

equation: (Al)

Separated

two-phase

(low in a rotating

annulus

1781

The velocity profile can also be expressed by a linear combination of two solutions: one, W,(r), valid for the region close to the outer cylinder and the second, W,(r), for the region close to the inner cylinder by substituting R2 by I and r by qt. Then

(R2 - )
Lw(R,IRz)

Log (r/R2)

1
(A17)

(Ri-

R,)7Log(r,R

Log(R,lR,)

1
b4w

The coefficients A, and AL are determined from the volumetric flow rate. The calculated velocity profile is obtained by a linear combination of the above two solutions. A weighted parameter y is introduced with respect to the force balances. So the weighted average profile can be written as W(r) =

yk W,(r) + k( 1 - y) P,(r).
fiow rate conservation,

(A19)

Fig. 31.

Thus, using the volumetric

k._

-- l--k 1-Y
expressed by

b-0)

and the velocity

profile is necessarily

t+(r) = ykr+,(r) + (1 - yk) w,(r) where the parameter k is fitted using experimental relation with considered flow conditions.
APPENDIX B: DEVIATION OF LASER CURVATURE BEAM

(A2t) data, in The refracted ray is located in the incidence be written in canonical form:
X-+-I-

plane and it can

WITH

Y - Yr B

z - zp
c

W) by

A light ray passing through a medium of refraction index n, is incident at point P upon the vertical cylinder (radius R) of refraction index aZ_ The calculation method presented here allows one to specify the refracted ray. It is convenient to set this problem with the Fig. Bl where xr c 0 and Yr -Z 0 (incident point P inside the third quarter). The angles arc measured with algebraic values as indicated. The coordinate system is chosen so that the x-direction is parallel to the B= incident xp, a,: P and plane, ray. The given quantities are as follows:

where the unknown quantities resolving the following system:

B and

C are calculated

xp+Byp=R,/1+B2+C2cosr, 036)
YP

-xpB+

E c = 0. b3Bl

The solution

is found

to bc given by - tgr

amsal sinat

+ cosfr(tg2/?t/tgaI

cot? r( 1 + tg r??t/tgz OL, ) - sin2 01,

Y,,, zp: spatial coordinates of the incident point P angle between the normal to the cylinder at point the projection of the incident ray in the horizontal i.e. 5 = arctg
(YP/XP) @I)

an4
c=(&-1)tBB. Finally, the corresponding fracted ray are respectivey: 01s: angle between P and the projection plane, f?r: angle between plane, with angles which determine

m3)
the re-

flL: angle between the incident ray and plane. So the incidence angle i is given by

the horizontal

the normal to the cylinder at point of the refracted ray in the horizontal the refracted ray and the horizontal

i = arccos{cosoL1.cos~r} and the equation of the incidence x--+ The refraction Y tg= plane is t - zp = 0. tl3S from refraction - sm i
n2

(W

(W law:

01~= arcsin

sin Q, - Bcos aI m > -c 1+BZ+C2 > (f39)

angle is obtained r = arcsin

1 1
.

nt

fiz = arcsin

WO)