Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the void fraction measurement using the photodiode array sensor technique in a perforated horizontal pipe. The procedure occurs by relying on the optical sensor’s signal to obtain experimental results. Additionally, this article investigated the behaviours of flow patterns (bubble flow, dispersed bubble flow, stratified flow, slug flow, transition slug/stratified wave flow, and stratified wave flow). The observed photodiode sensor responses depended on the different densities of air and water two-phase flow. Therefore, the photodiode sensor signals decreased when passing the air bubble or slug flow through the cross-section measurement, while it remained steady when water filled the pipe. A linear equation was used to measure the void fraction depending on the value of the optical signal sensor. Otherwise, the void fraction values were theoretically calculated by applying equations of the homogeneous mathematical models. This work proves that it is possible to use this technique to investigate void fractions measurement with the standard pipe; therefore, we can rely on this technique as an alternative to the high-cost technique used to measure void and holdup fractions with standard pipe, for example (Wire Mesh Sensor, Capacitance Tomography … etc.). The error percentages used to calculate the dispersion of flow patterns were equal to 39.26% and 37.71%, respectively, in cases A and C (bubble flow and stratified flow). However, it was 47.10%, 47.21%, and 48.73%, respectively, in cases H, I, and J (slug flow, transition slug/stratified wave flow, and stratified wave flow). The validation was good with references [9], [11] and [12] to predict the behaviour occurring during flow patterns (bubble, slug and stratified flow).

Keywords: flow patterns, photodiode sensor, void fraction, experimental apparatus, perforated horizontal wellbore

Pages: 63-82

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