CFD modeling of plume and free surface behavior resulting from a sub-sea gas release

Abstract

A 3D, transient, mathematical model was developed to simulate the plume and free surface behavior resulting from a sub-sea gas pipe rupture. A coupled volume of fluid (VOF) and discrete phase model (DPM) approach was used to account for the multiphase aspects. Turbulence was modeled using the standard k – ε approach. The model was compared to experiments conducted in a 7 m deep test basin and successfully predicted a wide range of experimental measurements. The model was also applied to gas release at large ocean depths to verify that the model is applicable to studies of realistic scenarios.