Injection of a heavy fluid into a light fluid in a closed-end pipe

Abstract

We report experimental results on the injection of a heavy fluid into a light one in a closed-end pipe, inclined at intermediate angles. The injection of the heavy fluid is made using an inner duct with a smaller diameter than that of the pipe in which the light fluid is placed. The fluids used are miscible and Newtonian, and they have the same viscosity. Our observation shows that, during the removal/replacement of the light fluid by the heavy fluid, at least four distinct flow stages can be identified: (i) initial buoyant jet of the heavy fluid, (ii) development of a mixing region, (iii) slumping flow of the heavy fluid, and (iv) heavy fluid front reaching the pipe end and returning toward the mixing region. Using high-speed camera images along with the ultrasound Doppler velocimetry and laser induced fluorescence data, the flow characteristics in these flow stages are quantified, and they are described in detail vs the dimensionless groups that govern the flow dynamics, namely, the Froude number (Fr), the Reynolds number (Re), the Archimedes number (Ar), and the pipe inclination angle (β). While our findings are of fundamental importance, they can also be used to provide a fluid mechanics understanding of the dump bailing method in the plug and abandonment (P&A) of oil and gas wells.