Abstract
In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation which adopts the inhomogeneous Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model in ANSYS CFX-15 was used to examine the influence of particle size (90 μm to 270 μm) and in situ particle volume fraction (10% to 40%) on the radial distribution of particle concentration and velocity and frictional pressure loss. The robustness of various turbulence models such as thek-epsilon(k-ε),k-omega(k-ω), SSG Reynolds stress, shear stress transport, and eddy viscosity transport was tested in predicting experimental data of particle concentration profiles. Thek-epsilon model closely matched the experimental data better than the other turbulence models. Results showed a decrease in frictional pressure loss as particle size increased at constant particle volume fraction. Furthermore, for a constant particle volume fraction, the radial distribution of particle concentration increased with increasing particle size, where high concentration of particles occurred at the bottom of the pipe. Particles of size 90 μm were nearly buoyant especially for high particle volume fraction of 40%. The CFD study shows that knowledge of the variation of these parameters with pipe position is very crucial if the understanding of pipeline wear, particle attrition, or agglomeration is to be advanced.
Highlights
Conveyance of slurries through pipelines is common throughout the worlds
The maximum recorded particle concentrations deposited at the bottom of the horizontal pipe are 15.1%, 21.5%, 25.8%, and 30.7% for particle size of dp = 90 μm, 150 μm, 210 μm, and 270 μm, respectively
The Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model was adopted in a three-dimensional transient simulation of slurry flow in a horizontal pipe
Summary
The flow of slurries through pipelines had been a common practice for various industries such as the oil and gas, food, pharmaceutical, solid handling, tailing, and even power generation. Many factors affect slurry flow behaviour in pipelines. These include particle size, velocity profile, frictional pressure loss, and concentration profile [1,2,3,4]. Past studies have suggested many empirical correlations to predict slurry flow behaviour; the capability of these correlations is limited to some data range and experimental setup. In unconsolidated formations, oil is usually produced along with sand particles and transported through horizontal pipes. To have an efficient design, accurate prediction of the transport of slurry properties in horizontal pipe is required. CFD has become an effective tool for modelling complex multiphase flow behaviours as it has the capability to tackle unlimited number of physical and operation conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
