Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate slug flow in horizontal pipeline and annular pipe

Hadia, Hassn (2018) Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate slug flow in horizontal pipeline and annular pipe. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Slug flow can emerge as a factor in several industrial processes, especially in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. However, because of the complications that are inherent in multiphase flow, finding or developing a viable analysis tool has thus far proven elusive. For the past few decades, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has served as the preferred approach in the flow analysis of single phase flow, yet it is only now beginning to be used in multiphase flow. Therefore, if CFD is to be adopted on a larger scale in the (O&G) industry, it is imperative that we first explore the wide variety of models currently existing in the commercial realm. This thesis investigates the commercial CFD package ANSYS 16.2 analysis of (air-water slug flow) and (water-sand slurry flow) inside a horizontal pipe (2-15 m long with a 0.05-0.059 m internal diameter) and an annular pipe (2- 4.5 m long, 0.02- 0.088 m inner and 0.04-0.12 m outer diameter). A range of two-phase air/water flow simulations is carried out using the Eulerian model with the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM), and the volume of fluid (VOF) model with the Shear-Stress-Transport (SST) model option of turbulence. The aim is to simulate a range of fluid velocities between 1.66 and 7 m/s and a range of gas velocities between 0.55 and 11 m/s. Additional investigations include comparing CFD predictions along with experimental measurements in the literature and performing sensitivity studies. In the present work, the impact from fluid-structure interaction (FSI) is demonstrated by using a 2-way coupling in ANSYS, effectively joining CFD and structural analysis. At the same time, stress and pressure changes are measured, along with the deformational structural response arising from unsteady multiphase flow. It is hoped that the outcome of this study will assist engineers and researchers in making better decisions in terms of operation, design, and sizing of two-phase flow systems, as these systems have broad and promising applications in subsea (O&G) pipelines.

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