The Inclinable, Multiphase Flow Rig

Horizontal view	Vertical back view	Vertical front view	Test section

Inclined System Specifications
Liquid flow rates	0.1 m/s to 5 m/s
Gas flow rates	up to 20 m/s
Temperature range	25°C to 120°C
Pressure range	up to 1000 psi
Liquid mixtures	Various mixtures of deionized water, synthetic sea water, 0.5 cP to 1000 cP oil, and crude oil
Gas Mixtures	Use of Nitrogen or Carbon Dioxide
Instrumentation	Superficial liquid and gas velocities, flow regime determination, corrosion rate, pressure drop, ultrasound, pH and temperaturee

A unique set of multiphase flow systems with the capability of operating up to 90 degrees inclination are in operation at the Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology at Ohio University.

Three systems are combined into one unit in this multiphase flow system, each operating independently of the others. The High-Pressure Inclinable, the Inclinable DRA, and the Low-Pressure Inclinable systems make up the combination of 4” I.D. flow loops with capabilities ranging from multiphase flow visualization and characterization to corrosion testing at elevated temperatures and pressures.

The Inclinable High-Pressure system has all 316 stainless steel wetted parts, giving it the ability to operate at temperatures up to 120°C and pressures up to 1000 psig. The Inclinable DRA system uses a progressive cavity pump to circulate a liquid mixture while using CO₂ or N₂ as the gas phase in acrylic pipelines at low pressure. The Inclinable Low Pressure system uses a centrifugal pump and orifice plate for the liquid mixture and CO₂ or N₂ for the gas phase in an acrylic pipeline.

All three systems have individual test sections for insertion of corrosion testing probes, void fraction tubes, and pressure taps for pressure drop and flow determination measurements. The acrylic piping allows for better visualization of multiphase flow characteristics with videotaping used extensively at the Center for documentation.

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