Multiphase sand erosion in standard elbows

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Chong Yau Wong ◽  
Amir Zamberi ◽  
Amira Shaffee ◽  
Zurita Johar ◽  
Maharon Jadid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Internal Surface ◽  
Internal Erosion ◽  
Pipe System ◽  
Surface Profiling ◽  
Sand Erosion ◽  
Erosion Modelling ◽  
Gas Volume

Standard elbows are used to redirect multiphase flows in oil and gas facilities. Internal erosion of the pipe walls is expected when produced solids are present in the pipe system. The literature widely documents erosion modelling through empirical and numerical methodologies validated with experimental data on elbow erosion. There are no studies documenting the full internal surface of standard elbows in multiphase flow erosion. This peer-reviewed paper fills that knowledge gap through experimental erosion modelling of standard elbows at various multiphase flow conditions. The results provide a source of validation for numerical and analytical methodologies. Surface profiling of standard elbows at gas volume fractions (GVFs) from zero to one are studied. Results suggest that erosion hot spots for all GVFs are located past an angle of approximately 45° from the flow inlet plane. In gas only flows, moderate levels of erosion occur upstream of the erosion hot spot. All GVF conditions exhibit moderate levels of erosion downstream of the erosion hot spot. In liquid only flows, the erosion hot spot is at the extrados in the vicinity of the elbow outlet plane, and is not easily detectable by ultrasonic probes. Comparison of multiphase experimental erosion pattern is made with computational fluid dynamics multiphase erosion simulations. A new relationship between the erosion rate of standard elbows and the reference cylinder-in-pipe data is proposed.

An Alternate Method to API RP 14E for Predicting Solids Erosion in Multiphase Flow

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenton S. McLaury ◽  
Siamack A. Shirazi
Keyword(s):  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
American Petroleum Institute ◽  
Sand Production ◽  
Threshold Velocity ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Sand Erosion ◽  
Fluid Properties

One commonly used method for determining oil and gas production velocities is to limit production rates based on the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 14E (API RP 14E). This guideline contains an equation to calculate an “erosional” or a threshold velocity, presumably a flow velocity that is safe to operate. The equation only considers one factor, the density of the medium, and does not consider many other factors that can contribute to erosion in multiphase flow pipelines. Thus, factors such as fluid properties, flow geometry, type of metal, sand production rate and size distribution, and flow composition are not accounted for. In the present paper, a method is presented that has been developed with the goal of improving the procedure by accounting for many of the physical variables including fluid properties, sand production rate and size, and flowstream composition that affect sand erosion. The results from the model are compared with several experimental results provided in the literature. Additionally, the method is applied to calculate threshold flowstream velocities for sand erosion and the results are compared with API RP 14E. The results indicate that the form of the equation that is provided by the API RP 14E is not suitable for predicting a production flowstream velocity when sand is present. [S0195-0738(00)00203-X]

Numerical Analyses of the Effects of Bend Orientation on Sand Erosion in Elbows for Annular Flow

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Kang ◽  
Haixiao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Annular Flow ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Particle Model ◽  
Severe Problem ◽  
Hydrocarbon Reservoir ◽  
Sand Erosion ◽  
Sand Particles

Abstract Sand erosion is a severe problem during the transportation of oil and gas in pipelines. The technology of multiphase transportation is widely applied in production, due to its high efficiency and low cost. Among various multiphase flow patterns, annular flow is a common flow pattern in the transportation process. During the transportation of oil and gas from the hydrocarbon reservoir to the final destination, the flow direction of the mixture in pipelines is mainly changed by the bend orientation. The bend orientation obviously changes the distributions of the liquid film and sand particles in annular flow, and this would further affect the sand erosion in elbows. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is an efficient tool to investigate the issues of sand erosion in multiphase flow. In the present work, a CFD-based numerical model is adopted to analyze the effects of bend orientation on sand erosion in elbows for annular flow. Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is adopted to simulate the flow field of annular flow, and sand particles in the flow field are tracked by employing Discrete Particle Model (DPM) simultaneously. Then, the particle impingement information is combined with the erosion model to obtain the maximum erosion ratio. The present numerical model is validated by experiments conducted in vertical-horizontal upward elbows. Finally, the effects of various bend orientations on the erosion magnitude are investigated according to the numerical simulations.

Multiphase Flow in Circular and Triangular Pipes: Examining Flow Characteristics, Sand Erosion and Heat Transfer Via CFD and Experimental Work

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Vieira ◽  
Thiana A. Sedrez ◽  
Siamack A. Shirazi ◽  
Gabriel Silva
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Experimental Work ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
Cfd Simulations ◽  
Liquid Distribution ◽  
Circular Pipes ◽  
Sand Erosion ◽  
Sand Flow

Abstract Air-water two-phase flow in circular pipes has been studied by many investigators. However, investigations of multiphase flow in non-circular pipes are still very rare. Triangular pipes have found a number of applications, such as multiphase flow conditioning, erosion mitigation in elbows, compact heat exchanges, solar heat collectors, and electronic cooling systems. This work presents a survey of air-water and air-water-sand flow through circular and triangular pipes. The main objective of this investigation is to study the potential effects of triangular pipe geometry on flow patterns, slug frequency, sand erosion in elbows, and heat transfer in multiphase flow. Firstly, twenty-three experiments were performed for horizontal air-water flow. Detailed videos and slug frequency measurements were collected through circular and triangular clear pipes to identify flow patterns and create a database for these pipe configurations. The effect of corners of the triangular pipe on the liquid distribution was investigated using two different orientations of triangular pipe: apex upward and downward and results of triangular pipes were compared to round tubes. Secondly, ultrasonic wall thickness erosion measurements, paint removal studies, and CFD simulations were carried out to investigate the erosion patterns and magnitudes for liquid-sand and liquid-gas-sand flows in circular and triangular elbows with the same radius of curvature and cross-sectional area. Thirdly, heat transfer rates for liquid flows were also simulated for both circular and triangular pipe cross-sections. Although similar flow patterns are observed in circular and triangular pipe configurations, the orientation of the triangular pipes seems to have an effect on the liquid distribution and slug frequency. For higher liquid rates, slug frequencies are consistently lower in the triangular pipe as compared to the circular pipe. Similarly, the triangular elbow offers better flow behavior as compared to circular elbows when investigated numerically with similar flow rates for erosion patterns for both liquid-sand flow and liquid-gas-sand flows. Experimental and CFD results show that erosion in the circular elbow is about three times larger than in the triangular elbow. Paint studies results validated erosion patterns and their relations with particle impacts. Finally, heat transfer to/from triangular pipes is shown to be more efficient than in circular pipes, making them attractive for compact heat exchangers and heat collectors. This paper represents a novel experimental work and CFD simulations to examine the effects of pipe geometries on multiphase flow in pipes with several practical applications. The present results will help to determine the efficiency of utilizing triangular pipes as compared to circular pipes for several important applications and field operations such as reducing slug frequencies of multiphase flow in pipes, and reducing solid particle erosion of elbows, and also increasing the efficiency of heat exchangers.

Numerical Modelling of Multiphase Flow With Application to Industrial Processes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ashutosh Bhokare
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modelling ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Multiphase Flows ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Fresh Concrete ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Fluidised Bed ◽  
Bingham Model ◽  
Drag Models ◽  
Concrete Flow

Multiphase flows are witnessed often in nature and the industry. Simulating the behaviour of multiphase flows is of importance to scientists and engineers for better prediction of phenomena and design of products. This thesis aims to develop a multiphase flow framework which can be applied to industrial applications such as placement of concrete in construction and proppant transport in oil and gas. Techniques available in literature to model multiphase flows are systematically introduced and each of their merits and demerits are analysed. Their suitability for different applications and scenarios are established. The challenges surrounding the placement of fresh concrete in formwork is investigated. Construction defects, the physics behind these defects and existing tests used to monitor fresh concrete quality are evaluated. Methods used to simulate fresh concrete flow as an alternative to experiments are critically analysed. The potential benefits of using numerical modelling and the shortcoming of the existing approaches are established. It is found that the homogeneous Bingham model is currently the most widely used technique to model fresh concrete flow. Determining the Bingham parameters for a given concrete mix remains a challenge and a novel method to obtain values for them is demonstrated in this work. The Bingham model is also applied to a full-scale tremie concrete placement procedure in a pile. Knowledge on the flow pattern followed by concrete being placed using a tremie is extracted. This is used to answer questions which the industry currently demands. The need for a more sophisticated model is emphasised in order to obtain an even greater understanding of fresh concrete flow behaviour. A CFD-DEM framework in which the multiphase nature of concrete is captured is developed. To validate this framework a new benchmark test is proposed in conjunction with the fluidised bed experiment. A comparative study of the drag models used in CFD-DEM approaches is performed to systematically assess each of their performances. CFD-DEM modelling is then applied to model fresh concrete flow and its potential to model defect causing phenomena is demonstrated. A model to capture more complex behaviours of concrete such as thixotropy is introduced and demonstrated.

Monitoring the composition of gas condensate well streams based on samples taken from multiphase flow meters

2021 ◽  
pp. 127-139
Author(s):  
E. A. Gromova ◽  
S. A. Zanochuev
Keyword(s):  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gas Condensate ◽  
Flow Meters ◽  
Gas Condensate Reservoirs ◽  
Reliable Estimation ◽  
Development Control ◽  
Hydrocarbon System ◽  
Labor Consuming

The article highlights the relevance of reliable estimation of the composition and properties of reservoir gas during the development of gas condensate fields and the complexity of the task for reservoirs containing zones of varying condensate content. The authors have developed a methodology that allows monitoring the composition of gas condensate well streams of similar reservoirs. There are successful examples of the approach applied in Achimov gas condensate reservoirs at the Urengoy oil and gas condensate field. The proposed approach is based on the use of the so-called fluid factors, which are calculated on the basis of the known component compositions of various flows of the studied hydrocarbon system. The correlation between certain "fluid factors" and the properties of reservoir gas (usually determined by more labor-consuming methods) allows one to quickly obtain important information necessary to solve various development control tasks.

A Wall Film Model for Membrane Fouling

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Jahangiri Mamouri ◽  
Volodymyr V. Tarabara ◽  
André Bénard
Keyword(s):  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Film Formation ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Water Separation ◽  
Wall Film ◽  
Oil Water

Deoiling of produced or impaired waters associated with oil and gas production represents a significant challenge for many companies. Centrifugation, air flotation, and hydrocyclone separation are the current methods of oil removal from produced water [1], however the efficiency of these methods decreases dramatically for droplets smaller than approximately 15–20 μm. More effective separation of oil-water mixtures into water and oil phases has the potential to both decrease the environmental footprint of the oil and gas industry and improve human well-being in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico. New membrane separation processes and design of systems with advanced flow management offer tremendous potential for improving oil-water separation efficacy. However, fouling is a major challenge in membrane separation [2]. In this study, the behavior of oil droplets and their interaction with crossflow filtration (CFF) membranes (including membrane fouling) is studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A model for film formation on a membrane surface is proposed for the first time to simulate film formation on membrane surfaces. The bulk multiphase flow is modeled using an Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase flow model. A wall film is developed from mass and momentum balances [3] and implemented to model droplet deposition and membrane surface blockage. The model is used to predict film formation and subsequent membrane fouling, and allow to estimate the actual permeate flux. The results are validated using available experimental data.

The effect of surface profile on the sand erosion of aluminium

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong Wong ◽  
Lachlan Graham ◽  
Anthony Swallow ◽  
Chris Solnordal ◽  
Jie Wu
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Surface Profile ◽  
Target Material ◽  
Sample Surface ◽  
Material Surface ◽  
Abrasive Particles ◽  
Erosion Depth ◽  
Sand Surface ◽  
Sand Erosion

Management and prediction of sand erosion on oil and gas equipment are important for the safety, reliability and maintenance of the production facility. Prediction of sand erosion is not a trivial task as it requires an understanding of the fluid flow-field, movement of abrasive particles in this flow-field and their subsequent impact on the target material surface. It is reasonable to assume that once sand erosion occurs on a surface, the rate of erosion would be constant. This is not always the case since the surface topography may change over time. An experiment investigating the sand erosion of a hole centred in a rectangular aluminium plate was designed to explore this phenomenon. The sample was subject to erosion by two 50 kg batches of sand; surface profiles of the hole were measured after each batch. The results suggest that a pre-eroded surface has an increased change of erosion depth compared with a new surface. As erosion progresses, the geometry of the sample alters and, depending on location, the change of erosion depth, relative to the previously eroded profile, on the sample surface varied from -30-50%; slight material build-up occurred on the inner face of the hole due to extrusion processes during erosion.

Stress Concentration Factors Calculation: Analytical and Numerical Approaches for Welded Tubular Joints

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia Paruolo ◽  
Thalita Mello ◽  
Paula Teixeira ◽  
Marco Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Stress Concentration ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Tubular Joints ◽  
Concentration Factors ◽  
Stress Concentration Factors

Abstract In the oil and gas industry, fixed platforms are commonly applied in shallow water production. In-place environmental conditions generates cyclic loads on the structure that might lead to structural degradation due to fatigue damage. Fatigue is one of the most common failure modes of offshore structures and is typically estimated when dimensioning of the structure during design phase. However, in times when life extension of existing offshore structures is being a topic in high demand by industry, mature fields may represent an interesting investment, especially for small companies. Concerning fixed platforms, composed mainly by welded tubular joints, the assessment of hot spot stresses is considered to predict structure fatigue. The estimation of welded joint hot spot stresses is based on the stress concentration factors (SCFs), which are given by parametric formulae, finite element analysis (FEA) or experimental tests. Parametric formulae may be defined as a fast and low-cost method, meanwhile finite elements analysis may be time consuming and experimental tests associated with higher costs. Given these different characteristics, each method is applied according to the study case, which will rely on the joint geometry and associated loads. Considering simple joint geometries several sets of parametric equations found in the literature may be applied. On the other hand, the SCFs calculation of non-studied yet complex joints consider known formulae adapted according to the under load joint behavior and geometry. Previous analysis shows that this adaptation may furnish different results compared to those obtained by FEA. Furthermore, it is observed that even for simple joints the results derived from the different methods may differ. Given their importance for the oil and gas industry, since they are the basis for the assessment of the fatigue life of welded tubular joints which may impact on additional costs related to maintenance and inspection campaigns, the estimation of SCFs must be the most accurate as possible. Therefore, this paper intends to investigate the differences between results derived from parametric formulae and different FEA studies.

scholarly journals Emerging Advances in Petrophysics: Porous Media Characterization and Modeling of Multiphase Flow

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianchao Cai ◽  
Shuyu Sun ◽  
Ali Habibi ◽  
Zhien Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Flow Modeling ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Fractal Approach ◽  
Unconventional Resources ◽  
Oil And Gas Resources

With the ongoing exploration and development of oil and gas resources all around the world, applications of petrophysical methods in natural porous media have attracted great attention. This special issue collects a series of recent studies focused on the application of different petrophysical methods in reservoir characterization, especially for unconventional resources. Wide-ranging topics covered in the introduction include experimental studies, numerical modeling (fractal approach), and multiphase flow modeling/simulations.

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