Modelling and Simulation of Multiphase Flow Applicable to Processes in Oil and Gas Industry

Abstract

Abstract Solid particle erosion is a mechanical process of destroying a wall surface material due to the impacts of solid particles entrained with a fluid. It is a frequent phenomenon encountered within various industries such as chemical processes, oil and gas, and hydraulic transportation. Erosion problem has led to enormous consequences such as oil spills caused by equipment failure of oil transmission pipelines, chokes valves, pipe fittings etc; resulting in considerable economic loss as well as safety and environmental concerns. In this study, a 3-D simulations are performed using CFD code ANSYS FLUENT to predict sand erosion rates under different engine-oil viscosity conditions for multiphase liquid, in a 90-degree standard (R/D = 1.5) elbow pipe. The CFD utilizes Eulerian-Lagrangian method to model the multiphase flow oil-water-sand in elbow. The realizable k-ε model is adopted for the fluid turbulence effects. The velocity and pressure distributions are analysed as contours for the fluid flow. In order to understand the dynamics of the erosion process, the motion of the solid particles are also investigated based on Stokes number as well as the effect of secondary flows. The results indicated that erosion rates decrease with the increase in oil viscosity. Additionally, erosion mainly occurs in two locations; at the extrados near the bend exit and also on the side walls of the downstream straight pipe. The unusual distribution of erosion on the side walls occurred as a result of the effect of secondary flows due to centrifugal force. The numerical results are in qualitative good agreement with the experimental data available in the literature for elbows in order to validate the presented modelling approach.