Inclinable three-phase corrosion flow rig

Two multiphase flow loops are mounted on the inclinable rig with the capability of operating anywhere from horizontal to vertical inclination, which can be adjusted while in operation.

The two multiple flow systems operate independently, and the rig currently has a high-pressure and low-pressure three-phase water/oil/gas systems which are both 4” I.D. flow loops that can generate multiphase flow, enable flow visualization, and corrosion testing at elevated temperatures and pressures in a wide variety of flow regimes.

The high-pressure three-phase water/oil/gas flow loop has all 316 stainless steel wetted parts, giving it the ability to operate at temperatures up to 120°C and pressures up to 1000 psig. The low-pressure three-phase flow loop system uses progressive cavity pumps to circulate independent oil and water systems while using CO₂, N₂, or a heavy gas such as SF₆ as the gas phase in plastic pipelines operating at low pressure. 

These systems have individual test sections for insertion of different corrosion testing probes, void fraction tubes, and pressure taps for pressure drop and flow determination measurements. The acrylic piping allows for better visualization of multiphase flow characteristics using high frame rate recordings as well as fast tomography.

View a 3D model of the machine