Data Processing of Full 3D Numerical Simulation of Slug Flow to Improve Unit Cell Model

In this paper, a full 3D numerical simulation of slug flow in a horizontal pipe is presented. The numerical simulations were performed by LEMMA, using ANANAS Software code. The physical experiments used to validate the simulations were acquired in Boussens oil & gas laboratory by TOTAL and co-workers. The simulation of the slug flow was performed in a pipe section, with periodic boundary conditions under imposed pressure gradient and fixed overall liquid hold-up. Starting from smooth stratified flow, the slug flow pattern is simulated and validated in terms of gas and liquid superficial velocities, Taylor bubble length and velocity, Taylor bubble fraction in a unit cell. Simulations are then processed to highlight several potential weaknesses of the wellknown unit cell model.