Study on internal flow field characteristics of slug catcher based on numerical simulation

Abstract In oil and gas gathering and transportation systems, slug flow is a complex and unstable multiphase flow pattern that poses significant risks to pipeline integrity and downstream equipment. This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the internal flow field characteristics of a tubular slug catcher with a design capacity of 3300 m 3 . Using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model and the RNG k-ε turbulence model, the gas-liquid two-phase flow behavior under slug flow conditions is simulated. The results indicate that the slug catcher effectively transforms slug flow into stratified flow, with the gas phase velocity reduced below 2 m/s, allowing sufficient time for droplet separation. The analysis also reveals that although the current design meets operational requirements under the given conditions, there is significant unused space within the header and parallel pipes, suggesting potential for structural optimization. This research provides valuable insights for the design and performance evaluation of slug catchers in practical engineering applications.