2.
n. [Production Logging]
A description of the geometrical
distribution of a
multiphase fluid moving through a pipe. Many different terms are used to describe this distribution, the distinction between each one being qualitative and somewhat arbitrary. In vertical or moderately deviated pipes, the most common flow regimes for gas-liquid mixtures are bubble flow, dispersed bubble flow, plug flow,
slug flow, froth flow,
mist flow, churn flow and annular flow. For oil-water mixtures, the most common regimes are bubble flow, slug flow and
emulsion flow. In horizontal wells, there may be stratified or wavy stratified flow in addition to many of the regimes observed in vertical wells.
Two-phase flow regimes have often been presented as plots, or maps, with the phase velocities or functions of them on each axis. Earlier maps were named after their authors, for example Griffith-Wallis, Duns-Ros and
Taitel-Dukler.