Numerical Solution of Slug Flow using Differential Transform Method (DTM)

<p> Multiphase  flow  is  a  regular  occurrence  in  different  industries, including  petroleum,  chemical  and nuclear industries. In the petroleum sector, multiphase transportation of fluids is usually confronted by flow assurance challenges as a result of flow physics, pipeline geometry or terrain through which the transport pipelines are laid. Slug flow is a flow assurance issue encountered in multiphase transport conduits. It is a regular pattern in the oil and gas production process and can significantly impair production if not properly predicted and controlled. In this work, using the differential transform method (DTM), a simple but yet robust approach is proposed for the numerical solution of slug flow models. The results showed slug flow properties were predicted  with average absolute relative errors of ±3-61%  accuracy compared to existing models with a range of ±5-722 % . This suggests that DTM offers a tremendous benefit of computational efficiency as well as accurate prediction of slug flow characteristics.  Unlike previous models that rely on computationally intensive numerical simulations or empiricalcorrelations with higher error margins, this study  introduces  the  Differential  Transform  Method  (DTM)  as  a  more  computationally  efficient  and  accurate alternative solution technique for slug flow models. The novelty of this approach lies in its ability toprovide closed-form  approximations  with  reduced  computational  cost  while  maintaining  a  high  level  of  accuracy.  This  study represents one of the first applications of DTM in multiphase flow modeling, demonstrating its potential as a viable alternative  to  conventional  methods.  Although  the  developed  model  performs  creditably  well  in  slug  flow characteristics prediction, it may find application in slug flow control studies </p>