Pressure Drop Models for Gas/Non‐Newtonian Power‐Law Fluids Flow in Horizontal Pipes

Models commonly used in literature are evaluated versus 696 data points to predict the pressure drop of gas/non‐Newtonian power‐law fluids flow in horizontal pipes. Suitable models are recommended. A new correlation is developed by ignoring the pressure drop across the gas slug and adopting the liquid slug holdup of gas/non‐Newtonian fluid flow into the homogeneous model. The theoretical curves can capture the test data trends and the overall agreement of predicted values with experimental data is sufficient to be practically applied in industry.     

Large‐Eddy Simulation of Oil‐Water Annular Flow in Eccentric Vertical Pipes

One of the difficulties related to oil exploration is transporting heavy oil since its high viscosity causes high‐pressure drop and energy consumption. In order to save energy, the core annular flow (CAF) can be applied where a two‐phase annular flow occurs, with peripheral water flowing offering a reduction in energy expenditure. The multiphase flow was studied experimentally in a simple purpose‐built unit. To theoretically handle the CAF, computational fluid dynamics simulations were done with the commercial package Ansys Fluent. The flow was considered turbulent, isothermal, incompressible, and 3D, and both stationary and transient cases were evaluated. The volume‐of‐fluid model was adopted for the multiphase system, and water/oil interface and turbulence phenomena were well predicted.     

Experimental Investigation on the Holdup Distribution of Oil‐Water Two‐Phase Flow in Horizontal Parallel Tubes

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the holdup distribution of oil and water two‐phase flow in two parallel tubes with unequal tube diameter. Tests were performed using white oil (of viscosity 52 mPa s and density 860 kg/m³) and tap water as liquid phases at room temperature and atmospheric outlet pressure. Measurements were taken of water flow rates from 0.5 to 12.5 m³/h and input oil volume fractions from 3 to 94 %. Results showed that there were different flow pattern maps between the run and bypass tubes when oil‐water two‐phase flow is found in the parallel tubes. At low input fluid flow rates, a large deviation could be found on the average oil holdup between the bypass and the run tubes. However, with increased input oil fraction at constant water flow rate, the holdup at the bypass tube became close to that at the run tube. Furthermore, experimental data showed that there was no significant variation in flow pattern and holdup between the run and main tubes. In order to calculate the holdup in the form of segregated flow, the drift flux model has been used here.     

Phase Inversion and Associated Phenomena in Oil‐Water Vertical Pipeline Flow

Phase inversion and its associated phenomena are experimentally investigated in co‐current upward and downward oil‐water flow in a vertical stainless steel test section (38 mm I.D.). Oil (ρ_o=828 kg/m³, µ_o=5.5 mPa s) and tap water are used as test fluids. Two inversion routes (w/o to o/w and o/w to w/o) are followed in experiments where either the mixture velocity is kept constant and the dispersed phase fraction is increased (type I experiments), or the continuous phase flow rate is kept constant and that of the dispersed phase is increased (type II experiments). By monitoring phase continuity at the pipe centre and at the wall it was found that phase inversion does not happen simultaneously at all locations in the pipe cross‐section. In type I experiments, the velocity ratios (U_o/U_w) where complete inversion appeared acquired the same constant value in both flow directions, although the phase inversion points, based on input phase fractions, were different. In contrast to previous results in horizontal flows, frictional pressure gradient was found to be minimum at the phase inversion point. The interfacial energies of the two dispersions before and after phase inversion, calculated from the measured drop sizes, were found to be different in contrast to the previously suggested criterion of equal energies for the appearance of the phenomenon. In type II experiments the phase inversion point was found to depend on mixture velocity for low and medium velocities but not for high ones. In all cases studied an ambivalent region, commonly reported for inversion in stirred vessels, was not observed.     

Numerical Simulation of Oil‐Water Core Annular Flow in a U‐Bend Based on the Eulerian Model

The oil‐water core annular flow through a U‐bend is simulated by computational fluid dynamics based on the Eulerian model. More flow parameters and the effect of annulus thickness on core annular flow are discussed. Conformity between the simulated and experimental data is observed. The development of oil‐water core annular flow in the U‐bend is analyzed, and the distributions of pressure and velocity are discussed. Results of the Eulerian model and volume‐of‐fluid (VOF) model are compared and the influence of oil properties on total pressure gradient is investigated. The suitable range of annulus thickness is identified. The results provide suitable operation conditions for designing the U‐bend pipefitting.     

Void Fraction Measurement for Two‐Phase Flow Using Electrical Resistance Tomography

Measurement of void fraction of two‐phase flows remains a challenging area. In this paper the application of an electrical resistance tomography (ERT) system for this purpose has been studied. A new approach through the direct use of the voltage data measured by the ERT system is presented. The measured voltage data are first compressed through a feature extraction, and a polynomial regression procedure is followed to obtain the relationship between the void fraction and the feature extracted. Both simulation and experiment are carried out to verify the approach. The methodology of the new approach, simulation and experimental results are presented in the paper.     

Improved Void Fraction Correlation for Two‐Phase Flow in Large‐Diameter Annuli

A flow pattern‐independent void fraction correlation for gas‐liquid two‐phase flow in vertical large‐diameter annuli is established. Two equations are proposed for the parameters of a drift flux model‐based correlation: the distribution parameter and the drift flux velocity. These equations are expressed as a function of two‐phase flow variables including void fraction, fluid properties, pipe geometry, and phase flow rates. Experiments were performed to study the void fraction of vertical air‐water two‐phase flow in large‐diameter annuli. The obtained experimental data along with the literature data of Caetano are used to verify the performance of the proposed void fraction correlation. The accuracy of this correlation is compared with nineteen frequently used correlations in literature. The proposed correlation was found to predict the void fraction consistently with a better accuracy.     

A Simple Model for Predicting the Two-Phase Heavy Crude Oil Horizontal Flow with Low Gas Fraction

A two-phase heavy crude oil flow with low gas fraction is common in the oil transportation process. However, most of the studies of a gas–liquid flow are based on low viscosity fluid, such as water and light oil; as a result, the results cannot be introduced successfully into the mixture flow of gas and heavy crude oil. In this work, a two-phase flow of gas and heavy crude oil, which originated from the Bo-hai oilfield in China, was investigated in a horizontal pipe with 47-mm inner diameter. Data were acquired for the oil flow rate ranging from 2 m³/h to 10 m³/h, the input gas volume fraction ranging from 0.01 to 0.15, and the viscosity of crude oil ranging from 2.41 Pa·s to 0.34 Pa · s. Based on the drift-flux model, a new simplified correlation was developed to predict the void fraction and the pressure gradient. A comparison between the predicted and measured data demonstrates a reasonable agreement, and the correlation might be helpful for practical application in industry, especially in initially estimating the flow characteristic parameters.     

Two‐Phase Bubbly Flow Structure in Large‐Diameter Vertical Pipes

The two‐phase flow structure of an air‐water, bubbly, upward flow in a 20 cm diameter pipe is presented with particular emphasis on the local interfacial area concentration. The radial distribution of void fraction, bubble velocity, bubble size, bubble frequency, and interfacial area concentration were measured using a local dual‐optical probe. The experimental results showed that the saddle‐type distribution of void fraction and interfacial area concentration, which are common for bubbly flow in small diameter pipes, only appeared in the present experiments under conditions of very low area‐averaged void fraction (<?> < 0.04). The values for the interfacial area concentration were higher in large diameter pipes when compared with data obtained under the same flow conditions in small pipes. The area‐averaged void fraction data were correlated using the drift‐flux model.     

Oil–water two‐phase flow in microchannels: Flow patterns and pressure drop measurements

This paper investigates oil–water two‐phase flows in microchannels of 793 and 667 µm hydraulic diameters made of quartz and glass, respectively. By injecting one fluid at a constant flow rate and the second at variable flow rate, different flow patterns were identified and mapped and the corresponding two‐phase pressure drops were measured. Measurements of the pressure drops were interpreted using the homogeneous and Lockhart–Martinelli models developed for two‐phase flows in pipes. The results show similarity to both liquid–liquid flow in pipes and to gas–liquid flow in microchannels. We find a strong dependence of pressure drop on flow rates, microchannel material, and the first fluid injected into the microchannel.     

Prediction of Phase Split in Horizontal T‐Junctions: Revisited

The prediction of liquid–liquid two‐phase flow at a horizontal dividing T‐junction is re‐investigated, focusing on a stratified orientation of the liquids. Kerosene (as oil) and water as the test fluids of previous studies are used to predict the distribution of oil and water in a 0.025‐m diameter pipe and tee. In addition to the previously studied models, attempts are made to predict the split for liquid–liquid systems by the already known energy minimization. The earlier model, formulated from geometrical considerations and force balance resulting from centripetal as well as inertial forces, is refurbished by the addition of energy minimization for the calculation of phase depth.     

水平管内油气两相混合物的传热计算

随着油气田开发的不断深入,油气两相混输技术的使用越来越广泛,这就涉及到水平管内油气两相混合物的传热计算问题。鉴于水平管内油气两相流动的复杂性,以三种常用简化计算的假设为基础,分别建立均相传热模型、分相传热模型以及流型传热模型,同时运用Aspen EDR软件对油气两相传热进行计算。将计算结果与工程实际设计值进行对比分析可知,均相传热模型与实际值相差最大;而流型传热模型最接近实际值,其相对误差仅2.6%;分相传热模型与软件计算值误差则介于这两者之间。另外,通过改变流速,对各个模型得出的油气两相传热系数进行了对比分析。     

Gas Analysis by In Situ Combustion in Heavy‐Oil Recovery Process: Experimental and Modeling Studies

Enormous efforts have been made to facilitate produced‐gas analyses by in situ combustion implication in heavy‐oil recovery processes. Robust intelligence‐based approaches such as artificial neural network (ANN) and hybrid methods were accomplished to monitor CO₂/O₂/CO. Implemented optimization approaches like particle swarm optimization (PSO) and hybrid approach focused on pinpointing accurate interconnection weights through the proposed ANN model. Solutions acquired from the developed approaches were compared with the pertinent experimental in situ combustion data samples. Implication of hybrid genetic algorithm and PSO in gas analysis estimation can lead to more reliable in situ combustion quality predictions, simulation design, and further plans of heavy‐oil recovery methods.     

In‐situ Remediation of Hydrogen Fluoride During a Detonation Event

Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a known product from the combustion or detonation of explosives formulated with fluoropolymer binder systems. This presents the user with elevated risk levels during unintended combustion events or detonations in confined situations. In an effort to remediate the production of HF, calcium disilicide (CaSi₂) was added to explosive formulations and the amount of HF formed was monitored. Viton A/calcium disilicide mixtures were made and the thermal decomposition characteristics studied using thermal gravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The activation energy ranged from 145–190 kJ mol⁻¹, indicative of C F scission in the Viton A binder prior to calcium fluoride formation. An energetic formulation was prepared which consisted of approximately a 5/3 mass ratio of Viton A/CaSi₂. Combustion calorimetry in oxygen and air, and subsequent analysis of the residues using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed evidence of calcium fluoride (CaF₂) formation. The decrease in HF formation was determined by trapping off gases and subsequent analysis in anion exchange chromatography of combustion and detonation products. Upon introduction of calcium disilicide into the formulation, a small decrease in HF formation was observed along with appearance of calcium fluoride and free Si in the residue. Such products are consistent with the mechanism following a general decomposition path of 2F⁻+CaSi₂→CaF₂+2Si. Under detonation conditions, the decomposition path followed nearly the same route with a net ca. 30 % decrease in HF formation, but with a portion of the silicon oxidizing slightly further to SiO₂.     

A Depth‐Resolved In‐Situ Study of the Reduction and Oxidation of Ni‐Based Anodes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The stability of Ni‐YSZ anodes as part of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) towards redox cycling is an important issue for successfully introducing the technology. Detailed knowledge of the NiO‐Ni transitions and their impact on the mechanical integrity of the whole system is necessary to improve the overall stability. In the present paper, a unique in‐situ X‐ray diffraction setup is presented which allows monitoring of the local structural changes during processing of SOFCs. With this setup technological SOFCs – a half cell and a full cell – were studied with respect to NiO‐Ni transitions in repeated reduction‐oxidation cycles, under conditions relevant for SOFC application. It was found that the redox kinetics is a function of the sample depth. Ni particles further away from the surface were reduced/oxidized at a slower rate than particles close to the surface.     

Modeling of Two‐Phase Flashing Flow of Multicomponent Mixtures in Large Diameter Pipes

A two‐phase flashing flow model is developed to predict the distributions of pressure, temperature, velocity and evaporation rate in a transfer line, which is a typical example of a two‐phase flow pipe in the petrochemical industry. The model is proposed based on the pressure drop model and the multi‐stage flash model. The results indicate that pressure drop, temperature drop, and change of evaporation rate mainly occur in the transition section and the junction site of the transfer line. The predictions of the model have been tested with reliable field data and the good agreement obtained may lead to a better understanding of the two‐phase flashing flow phenomenon, as well as demonstrating the feasibility of applying the model into the design and optimization of pipelines.     

填料对水平管中甲醇植物油混合过程的影响

甲醇与植物油的混合状况与其相应的生物柴油的制备密切相关,研究了填料对水平管中甲醇植物油混合过程的影响。试验结果表明:填料的加入,促进了两相的混合,其中金属填料最有利于促进两相的混合,陶瓷填料次之,塑料填料最差;有预混合器的混合效果好于无预混合器的,T型预混合器的混合效果优于Y型预混合器;甲醇和植物油摩尔比值越大,越不利于两相的混合。研究结果对生物柴油的连续化生产有一定的指导意义。     

Hydrodynamic Model for Horizontal Two‐phase Flow Through Porous Media

A unidirectional, two‐fluid model based on the volume‐average mass and momentum balance equations was developed for the prediction of two‐phase pressure drop and external liquid hold‐up in horizontally positioned packed beds experiencing stratified, annular and dispersed bubble flow regimes. The so‐called slit model drag force closures were used for the stratified and annular flow regimes. In the case of dispersed bubble flow regime, the liquid‐solid interaction force was formulated on the basis of the Kozeny‐Carman equation by taking into account the presence of bubbles in reducing the available volume for the flowing liquid. The gas‐liquid interaction force was evaluated by using the respective solutions of drag coefficient for an isolated bubble in viscous and turbulent flows. The proposed drag force expressions for the different flow patterns occurring in the bed associated with the two‐fluid model resulted in a predictive method requiring no adjustable parameter to describe the hydrodynamics for horizontal two‐phase flow in packed beds.     

国外水平井油井产能预测研究现状

水平井在油气田开发中的应用越来越受到人们的重视。水平井的优越性如今已成为不争的事实,世界各地在短短几年中竞相钻成数千口水平井就是证明。水平井生产时的产量通常要比直井高2～5倍。本文从单向流、两种情况分析了预测模型的建立及在应用过程中的不足,并介绍了裸眼完井和射孔完井两种不同完井方式的产能预测模型,对进一步深入研究水平井产能的技术研究具有一定的指导意义,为更好的应用水平井技术高效高速开发特殊油气藏,提高油气井产能,提供了技术支持。