Hydrodynamics of Oil-Water with Leakage by CFD

Abstract

The oil industry has sought to minimize the environmental impact from mining activities and oil transportation. The oil transportation by pipeline is subject to failures and leaks that cause financial losses and environmental damage, often irreparable. In this sense, the aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the leak diameter in the behavior of the two-phase flow (oil and water) in a pipe. A transient and incompressible multiphase flow mathematical model based on the particle model was used here. Oil is the dispersed phase while water is the continuous phase. To model the turbulence effect it was used the standard k-ε model. All simulations were carried out using the Ansys CFX® commercial code. Results of the pressure, velocity and volumetric fraction of the phases are presented and discussed. The results confirm the difficulty to detect leakage with small diameters.

Curvature Effect Radius Analysis in a Two Flow Leak Pipeline

“…According to [3], leakage is defined as a loss of a quantity of fluid through an opening or crack due to a damage on the pipe structure providing permanent changes in flow conditions, such as pressure and flow, or moreover, changes in the properties (s) of fluid (s) due to vibrations in the wall's pipe and others. The main causes of accidents in the pipes are related to corrosion, soil movement, operational failures, improper maintenance, human errors and changes of abrupt pressure [4]. Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to develop pipes which are tougher, lighter and safer.…”

“…The disasters related to oil spills account for the loss of millions of dollars in remediation, and degrade the environment. Therefore, the leak detection time is a key parameter [3], [4].…”

Three-phase flow (water, oil and gas) in a vertical circular cylindrical duct with leaks: A theoretical study

“…With the aim to meet the hydrodynamic behavior of fluids, some works related to multiphase flow with or without leak are being developed being analyzed different fluids, geometries and parameters flow [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”