Taitel-Dukler Flow Pattern & Pressure Drop for Horizontal Pipelines
Taitel-Dukler Two-Phase Flow Calculator
Predicts flow patterns (stratified, wavy, slug, annular, bubble) and pressure drop in horizontal/near-horizontal two-phase pipelines. Uses Lockhart-Martinelli correlation for pressure drop with API RP 14E erosional velocity checking.
Flow Rates
Pipe Geometry
in
ft
degrees
ft
Liquid Properties
lb/ft³
cp
dyne/cm
Gas Properties
air=1
cp
Operating Conditions
psia
°F
⚠️ Calculation Warnings
📚 Learn the Theory
Understand two-phase flow regimes, liquid holdup, and multiphase pressure drop
1. Flow Pattern: Taitel-Dukler (1976) map using Froude numbers and Kelvin-Helmholtz stability 2. Liquid Holdup: Regime-specific correlations (mechanistic for stratified, empirical for slug/annular) 3. Two-Phase Multiplier: Lockhart-Martinelli Φ² = 1 + C/X + 1/X² with regime-dependent C values 4. Pressure Drop: dP/dz = (friction × Φ²) + gravity + acceleration, segmented for compressibility 5. Erosional Check: API RP 14E Ve = C/√ρm where C = 100 for continuous service
Reference Standards
Flow Pattern: Taitel & Dukler, "A Model for Predicting Flow Regime Transitions," AIChE Journal 22(1), 1976 Pressure Drop: Lockhart & Martinelli, Chem. Eng. Progress, 1949 Holdup: Dukler et al., AIChE Journal 10(1), 1964 Erosion: API RP 14E, 5th Edition - Design and Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems
🌊 Flow Pattern Guide
Stratified (Smooth/Wavy)
Low gas & liquid velocities. Liquid at bottom, gas flows above. Lowest pressure drop. Good for pigging.
Slug/Plug (Intermittent)
Moderate velocities. Liquid slugs alternate with gas pockets. Most problematic - causes separator surging, vibration. Requires slug catcher.
Annular
High gas velocity. Liquid film on pipe wall, gas core with droplets. Higher pressure drop. Common in high-rate gas wells.
Bubble/Dispersed
Very high liquid rate, low gas. Gas bubbles in liquid. Rare in gas pipelines. Behaves like single-phase liquid.
⚡ Applicability & Limitations
• Best For: Horizontal and near-horizontal pipes (|angle| ≤ 15°) • Diameter Range: 2-36 inches (validated) • Pressure Range: 50-3000 psia • Accuracy: ±20% for pressure drop, ±15% for holdup (typical) • Limitation: Not suitable for highly inclined or vertical pipes - use Beggs-Brill instead • Assumption: Steady-state flow; does not model transient slugging