Two-phase slug flow control using baffle in a vessel-type slug catcher: a CFD simulation study

Improvement of the separation efficiency of the phases at the slug catcher has been always questionable. In this study, gas-liquid two-phase flow is simulated numerically in vessel-type slug catcher using the volume of fluid method. In order to validate the obtained numerical results, slug flow is simulated in a duct and the generated results are compared with the experimental data of other investigators. The comparison of the results showed that the agreement between our simulation and other experimental results is encouraging. The results revealed that the high velocity of slug flow which could damage the duct is reduced as it entered into the slug catcher, and became wavy or stratified. Moreover, the pressure drop across the slug is reduced to the minimum value and stabilized in entire system. Results reveal that the optimized length of the slug catcher to reduce the velocity and pressure fluctuations is equal to 4m. The effect of the baffle on slug behavior is also considered in the results. Results indicate that the presence of the baffle on the slug catcher leads to a positive effect on the pressure drop. Also, it is observed that the maximum mixture velocity at the outlet of the simulated slug catcher is 40% lower than the slug catcher without the baffle.