Identification of two-phase flow regimes via diffusional analysis of experimental time-series'

The problem of identifying different two phase flow regimes from experimental time series by employing the method of diffusional analysis is addressed. This technique, recently applied to the multiphase flow field, is described and compared with other techniques used to characterize multiphase flow regimes. Diffusional analysis is applied to experimental time-series obtained from both a gamma-densitometer and capacitance probes. The choice of the appropriate experimental signal to be processed is also discussed. The experimental time series were obtained from a rig with air and light oil. The results obtained confirm the advantages of the method proposed in identifying the features of different flow regimes. The advantages are particularly evident when comparing diffusional analysis with the widely applied Rescaled Range technique.