Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer in Risers

Abstract

Multiphase flows commonly occur in the production and transportation of oil, natural gas and water. In this type of flow, the phases can flow in different spatial configurations disposed inside the pipe, so called multiphase flow patterns. The identification of flow patterns and the determination of the pressure drop along the pipe lines for different volumetric flows are important parameters for management and control of production. In this sense, this work proposes to numerically investigate the non-isothermal multiphase flow of a stream of ultraviscous heavy oils containing water and natural gas in submerged risers (catenary) via numerical simulation (ANSYS CFX 11.0). Results of the pressure, volumetric fractions and temperature distributions are presented and analyzed. Numerical results show that the heat transfer was more pronounced when using the largest volume fraction of gas phases.

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

“…Sarmento et al [2] report numerical study of the three-phase flow coupled with heat transfer in a curved riser by using CFX 11.0. Different cases were studied, varying the volume fraction of water and gas, maintaining constant oil volume fraction and feeding velocity.…”

“…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].…”