Experimental analysis of pressure drop in the flow of Newtonian fluid in coiled tubing

Abstract

In order to study the fluid flow in the coiled tubing system, an experimental unit with 376 m of wrapped copper tube with ½ in diameter, and similarity to an actual coiled tubing system was built. Pressure transmitters and thermocouples were installed in this unit to monitor pressure and temperature along tube length. Tests were carried out with water, Newtonian fluid, in the flow range between 0.05 and 0.65 m3/h, in order to predict pressure drop in each double layer and in the whole coiled tubing system. Flow rate and pressure drop data obtained in the experimental unit allowed the evaluation of critical Reynolds number, friction factor correlations in laminar and turbulent regime, and the influence of the curvature and tube length on pressure drop. A methodology for predicting pressure drop in the coiled tubing system was proposed and the percentage error between the experimental and calculated pressure drop values was less than 5%.