Continuous Generation of Gas‐Water Slugs with Improved Size Uniformity at a Tunable Scale

Abstract

Slug flow has received increased interest due to the slugs serving as individual microreactors for enhanced process efficiency and product quality. In this study, slugs were continuously generated in various scales and sizes, with slug size uniformity studied by in‐line imaging. Different strategies of gas flow control and slug scale‐up were evaluated regarding the slug size distribution. With modified gas flow control, the slug uniformity was improved significantly. Slug flow can also be scaled up without sacrificing slug size uniformity, either by increasing the reservoir feeding volume or the flow rate. The type of gas used (air and nitrogen) to generate slugs does not affect the slug size uniformity. A narrow slug size distribution can improve the particle size distribution and, hence, lead to better product quality.

Direct Precipitation Pathway to Pure α-MnC2O4·2H2O Using Slug Flow toward the Scalable Nonfouling Fast Synthesis of Uniform Microcrystals

“…3,40 Then, to form mixture slugs with a 1:1 reactant molar ratio, the MnSO 4 solution (0.065 M) was added to the Na 2 C 2 O 4 solution slugs through a T-connector (0.0195 M), at a volumetric flow rate ratio of 3:10 (Q l,r1 and Q l,r2 from the pump parameter set, and initial reactant concentrations C i measured with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy discussed in Subsection 2.3). 41 The tubing used here is made of Pt-cured silicone (1/8 in. I.D., 1/4 in.…”

“…Slugs of the Na 2 C 2 O 4 solution were formed first, by combining filtered gas nitrogen (flow rates of 1.5–10 mL/min) and Na 2 C 2 O 4 solution (from a syringe, flow rates of 1.5–5 mL/min) using similar methods as reported previously. , Then, to form mixture slugs with a 1:1 reactant molar ratio, the MnSO 4 solution (0.065 M) was added to the Na 2 C 2 O 4 solution slugs through a T-connector (0.0195 M), at a volumetric flow rate ratio of 3:10 ( Q l,r1 and Q l,r2 from the pump parameter set, and initial reactant concentrations C i measured with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy discussed in Subsection 2.3). The tubing used here is made of Pt-cured silicone (1/8 in. I.D., 1/4 in.…”

“…O.D., Cole-Parmer), which is compatible with the precipitation reaction conditions. When varying the gas flow rates ( Q g ) in Table , the liquid flow rates ( Q l,r1 and Q l,r2 ) are also adjusted accordingly to maintain similar slug sizes and volumes for different flow rates . The liquid flow rates were controlled using syringe pumps (New Era syringe pump, Model no.…”

“…When varying the gas flow rates (Q g ) in Table 2b, the liquid flow rates (Q l,r1 and Q l,r2 ) are also adjusted accordingly to maintain similar slug sizes and volumes for different flow rates. 41 The liquid flow rates were controlled using syringe pumps (New Era syringe pump, Model no. NE-4000, NY), and the gas flow rate was controlled by a mass flow controller (FMA-2617A, Omega).…”

Study on the Hydrodynamic Evolution Mechanism and Drift Flow Patterns of Pipeline Gas–Liquid Flow

“…Oil and gas are transported directly to terrestrial surface projects via combined pipelines. However, due to the complexity of the seabed terrain, the process of mixed oil and gas transmission is affected by the undulating seabed, leading to a two-phase slug flow [4,5]. The emergence of slug flow alters the flow velocity of gas and liquid phases in the pipeline, posing numerous problems and challenges for the lifespan and material costs of subsea pipelines [6].…”