Non-Invasive Method for Velocity and Slug Length Measurements in Gas/Liquid Flow in Horizontal Pipes

A method was developed for the measurement of slug frequency, slug velocity and slug length of two-phase gas/liquid flow under slug conditions in 2-inch horizontal pipe. The method consists of two pairs of ultrasonic transducers with 1MHz frequency. Non-invasive detection for slugs was achieved over a range of (0.1–1 ms−1) superficial liquid velocity and (0.1–3 ms−1) superficial gas velocity. The slug translational velocity was measured using a cross correlation technique for the modulated ultrasonic signals received. The slug length was measured after measuring the slug time t(slug) and slug translational velocity. The slug parameters measured were extensively compared with conductivity probes measurements and experimental correlations.