A Model for Temperature Prediction for Two-Phase Oil/Water Stratified Flow

In this paper a mathematical model was developed to predict temperature profiles for two-phase oil-water stratified flows. Based on the energy balance of a control volume, analytical solutions were derived for the prediction of temperature profiles for two-phase oil/water stratified flow pattern in pipe flows. The model has been verified with a single-phase heat transfer model, which is available in most heat transfer textbooks. Two typical cases were simulated for extreme operating conditions with water cuts of 0% and 100%, respectively. This analytical model was also validated against experimental data. The test was conducted on a multiphase facility with accurate flow control devices and effective thermal treating units. The water cut was set at 50% for this test. The simulation results and experimental data agree within the experimental uncertainty. The closure relationships can be conveniently applied to a two-phase oil/water paraffin deposition model, which is dependent on the heat transfer process. The model was also used to predict the temperature profiles for two-phase oil and water flows with different water cuts.