Upscaling modeling using dimensional analysis in gas–liquid annular and stratified flows

• Upscaling and downscaling modeling using dimensional analysis.
• Scaling up pressure gradient and liquid holdup at elevated pressure.
• Pressure gradient and liquid holdup at high pressure condition.
• Models validation against experimental data and OLGA simulation at high pressure.
• Model validation for annular and stratified flow regimes.

Upscaling of models based on small diameter and low pressure experimental data to large diameter and high pressure conditions is very important in multiphase flow application and research studies. Studies with a large diameter facility and high pressure would significantly improve our understanding (and modeling) of flow characteristics in actual field conditions. Large diameter experiments can be found in literature to certain extent. However, experiments at high pressures are very limited because of the high cost of these experiments. A model based on dimensional analysis to scale up or down pressure drop and liquid holdup data is proposed in this paper. Annular and stratified flow regimes were considered in validating the proposed model. Therefore, our main objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of system pressures on the pressure drop and liquid holdup using dimensional analysis for annular and stratified flow regimes.