Experimental and CFD-Integrated Investigation into the Intricate Oil–Water Two-Phase Flow Dynamics Within Blind Tees: Uncovering Flow Behaviors for Advanced Process Engineering Applications

Blind tees are widely used in offshore oil systems. To enhance their rectification performance, an indoor experimental platform was established to study the flow field behavior within blind tees and bend pipes. Fluent2021 analyzed the significant effects of various structural parameters and operating conditions on the oil–water rectification performance of blind tees. The study evaluates the device’s effectiveness by establishing a rectification coefficient S, investigating the impacts of blind end length, vertical pipe diameter, inlet flow velocity, and inlet oil content. Results indicate that internal vortices within the blind tee primarily cause disturbances leading to uniform distribution of oil–water phases. The size and intensity of the vortices determine the oil–water rectification efficiency of the blind tee. Blind tees of different lengths correspond to a specific velocity at which the blind end becomes filled with vortices, causing fluid stagnation. This velocity is defined as the blind end closure velocity. Avoiding this closure velocity, shorter blind ends, smaller vertical pipe diameters, and higher inlet velocities significantly enhance the oil–water flow straightening effectiveness. The rectification efficiency of the blind tee was improved by up to76.68% compared to the bend.