Unified graph-based multi-fluid model for gas–liquid pipeline flows

We present a novel model of transient multiphase flow for gas–liquid mixtures in long pipelines. The study develops a general flexible formulation of a one-dimensional flow for complex multiphase mixtures in the presence of slip and mass exchange. Multi-fluid and drift–flux approaches are combined. The multi-fluid model governs the momentum balance for the fluids, and drift–flux correlations are used for modelling of the slip between individual components. A tree-like graph is introduced to describe the hierarchy of fluids and components within the mixture. The numerical implementation for an arbitrary number of components is based on the extension of the Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations. Imbalances of equations are selected as criteria for iteration convergence. Specific corrections are discussed, including those proposed for the equilibrium gas-release model.