Test Sections Available for Two-Phase Flow Loop

1. Hydrodynamic GLCC Test Section
   

   This is a 3-inch 8-ft dual-inlet GLCC equipped with a liquid trap on the gas leg to measure liquid-carry-over, and gas trap on the liquid leg to measure gas carry-under. Ports are also available along the GLCC for conducting local velocity and pressure measurements.

2. Control GLCC Test Section
   

   This is a single-inlet 3-inch 8-ft GLCC equipped with innovative, state-of-the-art Fisher FloVue Final Control System on the gas leg and on the liquid leg. The system combines the 9000 System actuator, a FIELDVUE digital valve controller and Design PC control valve. The control system is implemented using a LabView Control Kit. The facility enables experimental testing and verification of several control strategies (see linked figure) including feed forward and feedback.

3. Helical Pipe Test Section
   

   This facility aims at studying slug dissipation/flow conditioning is shown in the linked figure. It consists of a 2-inch flexible transparent pipe coiled in a helical shape. The helical pipe can be coiled in different diameters from 0.74m to 1.95m as well as different helical pitch angles. Slug dissipation is measured by conductance probes located in every turn of the helix. A slug generator is also attached to the facility.

4. Predictive Control Test Section
   

   This section is connected to the control GLCC facility. The section includes a pair of conductance probes to detect slugging conditions. The output of the probes is interfaced with the control system of the GLCC. Slugs of different lengths generated by a slug generator, pass through the detection section and flow into the control GLCC. This facility allows testing of feed forward control strategies.

5. Slug Damper Test Section
   

   This is another flow conditioning system aimed at dissipating slugs upstream of the GLCC inlet. As shown in the linked figure, it consists of dual 3-inch, schedule 80, clear PVC pipes, equipped with a segmented orifice, located in the lower liquid leg. The liquid slugs (generated by the slug generator) are blocked by the orifice and accumulated in the lower leg, while the gas passes through the upper gas leg into the GLCC. This dampens the slug and provides a smooth liquid flow rate through the orifice into the following GLCC.

6. GLCC for High GOR - Wet Gas Applications Test Section
   

   GLCC can be used as a wet gas scrubber to knock out the liquid droplets by modifying its configuration. For such application, it is crucial to understand the separation mechanism and the GLCC performance for high gas velocity and then improve the design criteria. The objectives of this study are to design a new GLCC with a specific design of a liquid film trap, (see linked figure) conduct experimental investigation and develop mathematical model. The experimental investigations are conducted to evaluate the improvement of operational envelope and the percentage liquid carryover. Mechanistic models are being developed for characterizing upward swirling flow above the inlet of the GLCC and the droplet size that can be separated for the gas core, which is used to predict the separation efficiency.