Laboratories

SINTEF Multiphase Flow Laboratory
SINTEF's Multiphase Flow Laboratory in Trondheim, Norway was established in 1982.  Today, the laboratory includes these facilities: The Large Scale Flow Loop, The Medium Scale Flow Loop, The Hydrate Laboratory (small-scale, high-pressure flow loop) and Flow Wheel Laboratory.

The laboratory's main activity is flow assurance related research for the petroleum industry.  It has contributed significantly to the development of multiphase flow simulators, and this is still an ongoing activity.  Development of hydrate cold flow technology and sand transport studies are currently also main topics.

The laboratory is available for multiphase flow and flow assurance research.  In addition, it is well suited for testing of process equipment and instrumentation, and for concept and pilot studies.

What is a ”flow loop”?
A flow loop is an experimental facility where a limited amount of fluids is circulated in a closed loop. In a multi-phase flow loop each phase has its own pump or compressor such that the flow rate can be individually controlled for each phase. This implies that there also must be a mixing device (usually just a specially shaped tee-junction) and a separator. The separator separates the phases before being fed to the pumps/compressor. The mixing device, or mixing point, usually defines the starting point of the loop. Flow rates are measured on the single phase branches of the loop just downstream the pumps/compressors.

The test section may be anything that needs to be tested. In general flow mechanics research, the test section is an as long and straight pipe as possible to have stable and fully developed flow. In other cases, the test section may be a multiphase flow meter that is verified against the flow meters of the loop.

Sometimes it is useful to simplify such a loop somewhat: When the Medium Scale Loop is used with air, the air is not re-circulated. In the Hydrate Loop, oil and water is not separated, and finally in the Flow Wheels, the separation and individual pumps/compressors are left out completely and the flow is set up by rotating the wheels.

Contact: Tor Erling Unander