Computational Fluid Dynamics for Gas Lift Optimization in Highly Deviated Wells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farasdaq Sajjad ◽  
Steven Chandra ◽  
Alvin Wirawan ◽  
Silvya Dewi Rahmawati ◽  
Michelle Santoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Gas Injection ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Production Loss ◽  
Valve Placement ◽  
Offshore Field ◽  
Gas Lift

Abstract In the implementation of gas lift, understanding flow behavior in highly-deviated well is critical in avoiding production loss due to liquid fallback and blockage, even in highly-productive reservoir. In this work, we utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize gas lift design under various flow behavior in highly-deviated well. The analysis is directly implemented into Arjuna offshore field case. Arjuna offshore field has gas-lifted wells, producing from a high-permeability reservoir. However, several wells suffer from huge production loss due to the effect of well's deviation. In deviated well, there exists frequent liquid fallback causes blockage, therefore, reducing the production. Motivated by this issue, we use CFD framework to perform gas lift optimization. We firstly adopt the geometry of gas-lifted wells as the computational domains for our simulation. An image-based meshing technique is deployed to capture the well's trajectory and internal geometry. We secondly utilize compressible Navier-Stokes equation and Finite Volume Method to evaluate the flow behavior. We capture the location of liquid fallback and liquid accumulation at elbows to estimate production loss. We consider the variation of viscosity, density, gas lift valve placement, injected gas rate, and reservoir pressure. We finally perform gradient-based optimization utilizing production loss as the objective function to obtain optimum design. The final result is then used to optimize the current design. The simulation results show that productivity index, pipe diameter, and deviation heavily influence the amount of production loss. At big pipe diameter and high deviation, the gravitational force governs the fluid flow. Therefore, slugs are developed and accumulated at elbows. This accumulation blocks gas flow and reduces production. Changing the gas injection rate affects the lifted density. High injection rate triggers segregation between the liquid and gas, while low injection rate does not reduce the liquid density. Shifting the gas lift valve placement influence the mixing between the liquid and gas. It also determines the cost of gas injection. Hence, we need to optimize both parameters at once. Six of thirty wells in Arjuna field experience severe liquid fallback, therefore, the production significantly decreases. The simulation shows up to 40% coverage of the pipe internal diameter, which blocks the gas flow. We perform the optimization by shifting the gas lift valve placement and adjusting the gas injection rate. By implementing the study result into the field case, we manage to improve the production by 20%. We provide an effective way to connect high-resolution simulation to the field design and revise the current concept in designing gas lift well completion. The simulation allows engineers to provide more insight on flow assurance in highly deviated wells.

A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach to Predict Pressure Drop and Flow Behavior in the Near Wellbore Region of a Frac-Packed Gas Well

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Molina ◽  
Mayank Tyagi
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Flow Region ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
High Permeability ◽  
Well Completion

Well completion plays a key role in reservoir production as it serves as a pathway that connects the hydrocarbon bearing rock with the wellbore, allowing formation fluids (e.g. oil, gas, water) to flow into the well and then up to production facilities on the surface. Frac-packing completion (F&P) is a well stimulation technique that vastly increases the fluid transport capability of the near wellbore region in comparison with the original formation capacity by filling fractures and perforation tunnels with high-permeability proppant, thus enabling higher production rates for the same pressure drop. Hence, it is of interest for the production engineer to have an accurate description of the actual and predicted production performance in terms of pressure drop and flowrate after the F&P completion process is done. However, in developing a mathematical model of this scenario two critical challenges should be faced: (a) as fluid flows at high flowrates it begins to deviate from linear behavior, i.e. Darcy’s law is no longer valid, (b) compressible fluid flow behavior in the near wellbore region cannot be intuitively predicted due to the geometrical complexity introduced by the well completion (e.g. perforation tunnels and fractures). Additionally, this kind of mathematical model must take into account the existence of three different domains: reservoir (porous, low permeability), completion region (porous, high permeability), and free flow region. In view of these complications, this study presents a computational approach to model and characterize the near wellbore region with F&P completion using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, combining a non-linear (non-Darcy or Forchheimer) real gas flow in porous media with a turbulence model for the free flow region. This study is classified into three parts: 1) verification case, 2) Darcy vs. non-Darcy flow, and 3) erosion analysis. All simulation cases are assumed to be isothermal, steady state gas flow. Streamlines are implemented to identify the possible kinds of flow regimes, or patterns, in the near wellbore region and it is shown that gas flow pattern can be high unpredictable. Turbulence production and erosional velocity limit are also analyzed. Finally, mathematical correlations for well completion performance of this particular case study are derived using data curve fitting. In conclusion, the CFD approach has proven to be a powerful yet flexible computational tool that can help the production and/or reservoir engineer to predict flow behavior as well as production performance for a gas producing well with F&P completion, while providing an insightful graphical description of pressure and velocity distribution in the near wellbore region.

scholarly journals Tuyere-Level Syngas Injection in the Blast Furnace: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Investigation

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1447
Author(s):  
Samuel Nielson ◽  
Tyamo Okosun ◽  
Bradley Damstedt ◽  
Megha Jampani ◽  
Chenn Q. Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Blast Furnace ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Injection ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Furnace Operation ◽  
Reduce Coke Consumption ◽  
Cfd Models ◽  
Injection Rates

With the recent push towards high injection rate blast furnace operation for economic and environmental reasons, it has become desirable in North America to better understand the impacts of alternate injected gas fuels in comparison to the well-documented limitations of natural gas. The quenching effects of gas injection on the furnace present a functional limit on the maximum stable injection rate which can be utilized. With this in mind, researchers at Purdue University Northwest’s Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation utilized previously developed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of the blast furnace to explore the impacts of replacing natural gas with syngas in a blast furnace with a single auxiliary fuel supply. Simulations predicted that the syngas injection can indeed reduce coke consumption in the blast furnace at similar injection rates to natural gas while maintaining stable raceway flame and reducing gas temperatures. The coke rates predicted by modeling using similar injection rates indicated an improvement of 8 to 15 kg/thm compared to baseline conditions when using the syngas of various feedstocks. Additionally, syngas injection scenarios typically produced higher raceway flame temperatures than comparable natural gas injection cases, indicating potential headroom for reducing oxygen enrichment in the hot blast or providing an even higher total injection rate.

Lessons Learnt from Integrated Production Modelling and Performance Analysis of Gas Lift Wells of One of the Biggest Offshore Complexes in India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagun Devshali ◽  
Ravi Raman ◽  
Sanjay Kumar Malhotra ◽  
Mahendra Prasad Yadav ◽  
Rishabh Uniyal
Keyword(s):  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Flow Line ◽  
Gas Injection ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Oil Wells ◽  
Nodal Analysis ◽  
Integrated Production ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Gas Lift ◽  
Production Modelling

Abstract The paper aims to discuss various issues pertaining to gas lift system and instabilities in low producer wells along with the necessary measures for addressing those issues. The effect of various parameters such as tubing size, gas injection rate, multi-porting and gas lift valve port diameter on the performance analysis of integrated gas lift system along with the flow stability have been discussed in the paper. Field X is one of the matured offshore fields in India which has been producing for over 40 years. It is a multi-pay, heterogeneous and complex reservoir. The field is producing through six Process Complexes and more than 90% of the wells are operating on gas lift. As most of the producing wells in the field are operating on gas lift, continuous performance analysis of gas lift to optimize production is imperative to enhance or sustain production. 121 Oil wells and 7 Gas wells are producing through 18 Wellhead platforms to complex X1 of the field X. Out of these 121 oil wells, 5 are producing on self and remaining 116 with gas lift. In this paper, performance analysis of these 116 flowing gas lift wells, carried out to identify various problems which leads to sub-optimal production such as inadequate gas injection, multi-porting, CV choking, faulty GLVs etc. has been discussed. On the basis of simulation studies and analysis of findings, requisite optimization/ intervention measures proposed to improve performance of the wells have been brought out in the paper. The recommended measures predicted the liquid gain of about 1570 barrels per day (518 barrels of oil per day) and an injection gas savings in the region of about 28 million SCFD. Further, the nodal analysis carried out indicates that the aforementioned gas injection saving of 28 million SCFD would facilitate in minimizing the back pressure in the flow line network and is likely to result in an additional production gain of 350 barrels of liquid per day (65 barrels of oil per day) which adds up to a total gain of 1920 barrels of liquid per day (583 barrels of oil per day). Additionally, system/ nodal analysis has also been carried out for optimal gas allocation in the field through Integrated Production Modelling. The analysis brings out a reduction in gas injection by 46 million SCFD with likely incremental oil gain of ~100 barrels of oil per day.

Fish-friendly design of an axial flow pump impeller based on a blade strike model

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Pan ◽  
Weidong Shi ◽  
Desheng Zhang ◽  
BPM van Esch ◽  
Ruijie Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Hydraulic Performance ◽  
Fish Mortality ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis ◽  
Axial Flow Pump ◽  
Flow Pump

With environmental awareness growing in many countries, governments are taking measures to reduce mortality of migrating fish in pumping stations. Manufacturers seek to develop pumps that are less damaging to fish and still provide good hydraulic performance, but little is known about the implications design modifications may have on internal flow characteristics and overall hydraulic performance. In this paper, an integrated design method is proposed that combines a validated blade strike model for fish damage and a computational fluid dynamics method to assess the pump performance. A redesign of an existing, conventional, axial flow pump is presented as an example in this paper. It shows how the design of the impeller blades was modified stepwise in order to reduce fish mortality while its hydraulic performance was monitored. Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the flow near the hub of the highly skewed blades indicated that unconventional design modifications were required to ensure optimum flow behavior. In the final fish-friendly design, the risk of fish mortality has reduced considerably while the hydraulic performance of the pump is still acceptable for practical application.

A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study of Material Transport and Deposition in Aerosol Jet Printing (AJP) Process

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roozbeh (Ross) Salary ◽  
Jack P. Lombardi ◽  
Darshana L. Weerawarne ◽  
Prahalada K. Rao ◽  
Mark D. Poliks
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
Material Transport ◽  
Jet Printing ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Aerosol Jet Printing

The objective of this work is to forward a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to explain the aerodynamics behind aerosol transport and deposition in aerosol jet printing (AJP). The CFD model allows for: (i) mapping of velocity fields as well as particle trajectories; and (ii) investigation of post-deposition phenomena of sticking, rebounding, spreading, and splashing. The complex geometry of the deposition head was modeled in the ANSYS-Fluent environment, based on a patented design as well as accurate measurements, obtained from 3D X-ray CT imaging. The entire volume of the geometry was subsequently meshed, using a mixture of smooth and soft quadrilateral elements, with consideration of layers of inflation to obtain an accurate solution near the walls. A combined approach — based on the density-based and pressure-based Navier-Stokes formation — was adopted to obtain steady-state solutions and to bring the conservation imbalances below a specified linearization tolerance (10−6). Turbulence was modeled, using the realizable k-ε viscose model with scalable wall functions. A coupled two-phase flow model was set up to track a large number of injected particles. The boundary conditions were defined based on experimental sensor data. A single-factor factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of sheath gas flow rate (ShGFR) on line morphology, and also validate the CFD model.

INVESTIGATION OF FLOW BEHAVIOR AND GAS TRANSFER PERFORMANCE OF AN OXYGENATOR WITH COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS(CFD)

ASAIO Journal ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
N. Katagiri ◽  
A. Funakubo ◽  
Y. Taenaka ◽  
E. Tatsumi ◽  
T. Nishinaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Gas Transfer ◽  
Transfer Performance ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd

Simulation and Analysis of Flow Field in Sludge Anaerobic Digestion Reactor based on Computational Fluid Dynamics

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuqin Cao ◽  
Kun Jiang ◽  
Hao Ding ◽  
Ping Yang ◽  
Zhendong Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Dead Zone ◽  
Fluid Velocity ◽  
Reactor Wall ◽  
Mixing Effect

AbstractBecause of the complexity of flow and the opacity of sludge, usually we can’t gain a precise and comprehensive sight of sludge flow type and its associated flow characteristics in the anaerobic digestion (AD) reactor. In the present study, we focused on the sludge rheological properties as well as the flow behavior in the digester. The viscosity decreased with the increase of shear rate, and sludge as a kind of pseudo-plastic fluid was proved. Based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), taking sludge rheological index and rotational speed into consideration, then the flow field distribution in the digester was obtained. The fluid velocity raised with increase in rotational speed, moreover, fluid near blades had higher velocity while it was almost stagnant in the areas near reactor bottom and top as well as reactor wall and stirring shaft. The effect of rheological index on improving the velocity of fluid farther from impeller exceeded the influence on fluid at the impeller installation height. Regarding dead zone fraction as an indicator of the mixing effect, it was recommended that the suitable rotational speed for AD of 96 % moisture content sludge is 40 r/min. Finally, the reactor performance was optimized respectively from impeller form and reactor configuration, the results showed that both combined impellers and oval reactor can reduce dead zone volumes and produce a better mixing effect.

Anatomically based three-dimensional model of airways to simulate flow and particle transport using computational fluid dynamics

2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 970-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline van Ertbruggen ◽  
Charles Hirsch ◽  
Manuel Paiva
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Particle Deposition ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Bronchial Tree ◽  
Inspiratory Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Viscous Pressure ◽  
Curved Ducts

We have studied gas flow and particle deposition in a realistic three-dimensional (3D) model of the bronchial tree, extending from the trachea to the segmental bronchi (7th airway generation for the most distal ones) using computational fluid dynamics. The model is based on the morphometrical data of Horsfield et al. (Horsfield K, Dart G, Olson DE, Filley GF, and Cumming G. J Appl Physiol 31: 207–217, 1971) and on bronchoscopic and computerized tomography images, which give the spatial 3D orientation of the curved ducts. It incorporates realistic angles of successive branching planes. Steady inspiratory flow varying between 50 and 500 cm3/s was simulated, as well as deposition of spherical aerosol particles (1–7 μm diameter, 1 g/cm3 density). Flow simulations indicated nonfully developed flows in the branches due to their relative short lengths. Velocity flow profiles in the segmental bronchi, taken one diameter downstream of the bifurcation, were distorted compared with the flow in a simple curved tube, and wide patterns of secondary flow fields were observed. Both were due to the asymmetrical 3D configuration of the bifurcating network. Viscous pressure drop in the model was compared with results obtained by Pedley et al. (Pedley TJ, Schroter RC, and Sudlow MF. Respir Physiol 9: 387–405, 1970), which are shown to be a good first approximation. Particle deposition increased with particle size and was minimal for ∼200 cm3/s inspiratory flow, but it was highly heterogeneous for branches of the same generation.

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