Application of INPLANT software in identification of gas-liquid two-phase flow patterns in hydrogenation unit.

Based on a diesel hydrogenation unit in Middle East, INPLANT software is for hydraulic calculations of the two-phase flow pipeline in the reaction system. The effects of pipeline diameter, gas-liquid ratio and fluid load on the transition of two-phase flow patterns in horizontal pipelines are analyzed. The results show that the unsteady slug flow can be transformed into stable annular flow by increasing the gas-liquid ratio of the fluid; changing the pipe diameter and fluid load cannot transform the two-phase flow pattern of the pipeline studied in this paper from slug flow to annular flow; however, when the liquid phase velocity is reduced to a sufficiently low, the flow pattern can be transformed into wavy flow. The calculation results are used to guide the operation adjustment of the unit, improving the gas-liquid ratio of the fluid can eliminate the pressure fluctuations of the reaction system. It shows that the flow pattern transformation trend simulated by the software is close to the actual production, and the accuracy is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]