Gas hydrates can form in gas-liquid flow in the submarine natural gas production process, enormously challenging the flow safety. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed to describe the turbulent gas-liquid-hydrate multiphase flow system in horizontal and upward inclined pipeline. The population balance model is coupled for predicting the birth and death of hydrate particles, mainly concerning the collision, agglomeration and breakage mechanisms. Then, the effects of gas flow velocity, slurry flow velocity, hydrate volume fraction and pipeline inclination on the flow pattern and particle size distribution are analyzed. Moreover, considering the flow pattern transferred from stratified flow to slug flow, particle behaviors at slug body are also discussed. The results indicate that hydrate particles incline to agglomerate and locate at the bottom layer of pipe. Increase of hydrate volume fraction and hydrate slurry flow velocity will induce the flow pattern transition and intensification of particle agglomeration. Hydrate particle size distribution is more symmetrical at upward inclined part and eventually achieving a balanced state of agglomeration and breakage. The results can provide suggestions for avoiding gas hydrate blockage induced by agglomeration of hydrate particle in practical gas production.

天然气水合物在海底天然气生产过程中可在气液流动中形成，对流动安全提出了极大的挑战。本文建立了一个数学模型来描述水平向上倾斜管道中湍流气-液-水合物多相流动系统。耦合种群平衡模型用于预测水合物粒子的诞生和死亡，主要涉及碰撞、团聚和破碎机制。然后，分析了气体流速、泥浆流速、水合物体积分数和管道倾角对流型和粒度分布的影响。此外，考虑到流型从分层流转移到段塞流，还讨论了段塞体的粒子行为。结果表明，水合物颗粒倾向于团聚并位于管道底层。水合物体积分数和水合物浆液流速的增加会引起流型转变和颗粒团聚的加剧。水合物粒径分布在向上倾斜的部分更对称，最终达到团聚和破碎的平衡状态。研究结果可为实际采气过程中避免水合物颗粒团聚引起的天然气水合物堵塞提供建议。水合物粒径分布在向上倾斜的部分更对称，最终达到团聚和破碎的平衡状态。研究结果可为实际采气过程中避免水合物颗粒团聚引起的天然气水合物堵塞提供建议。水合物粒径分布在向上倾斜的部分更对称，最终达到团聚和破碎的平衡状态。研究结果可为实际采气过程中避免水合物颗粒团聚引起的天然气水合物堵塞提供建议。