churn flow — Oil & Gas Glossary
A multiphaseflow regime in near-vertical pipes in which large, irregular slugs of gas move up the center of the pipe, usually carrying droplets of oil or water with them. Most of the remaining oil or water flows up along the pipe walls. Unlike slug flow, neither phase is continuous. The gas slugs are relatively unstable, and take on large, elongated
Detailed Explanation
shapes. Churn flow occurs at relatively high gas velocity and is similar to froth flow. As the gas velocity increases, it changes into annular flow.