CFD simulation of annular oil flow wrapped with water

Abstract

The transport of heavy oil in tubes is energy intensive since the oil viscosity can reach values of 10 500 000 cP. This study focuses on the transport of oil in a piping system by an annular flow of oil wrapped with water, since this alternative reduces head loss. The piping system was comprised of horizontal tubes, curves, and vertical tubes. The assumptions for the CFD simulation were the following: 3D geometry, turbulent flow, and isothermal system as well as incompressible, steady‐state, and transient flow. A mesh convergence study was carried out. The residue for pressure and velocity dropped at least three orders of magnitude. The inter‐phase‐slip Algorithm (IPSA), algebraic slip model (ASLP), scalar equation method (SEM), and Phoenics models were applied to calculate the interaction between the phases. Turbulence was modelled with default k‐ϵ and k‐ω models and the LES strategy by using a Smagorinsky sub‐grid scale model. The density profiles generated in the CFD simulation were compared with experimental data and a resemblance was observed. The transient simulation showed a swirling flow that was experimentally observed, which was a result of synergy of multiphase flow, horizontal tube, curve, and vertical tube.

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