Statistical analysis and hydrodynamic modeling of unsteady gas-liquid slug velocity behavior

A theoretical model based on a momentum balance and the equation of state for gases predicted the acceleration trend quite well close to the initiation point. The model error in predicting slug velocity increases as the pipe dimensionless distance increases due to the model's assumption of a single slug evolution. The developed model can be used as a predictive tool to estimate the distance required to accelerate a slug to its maximum velocity, and ultimately the location of flow related erosion/corrosion and produced sand accumulation and transportation.