New Friction Factor Correlations of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in Coiled Tubing

Abstract

Summary This paper presents a complete set of friction-factor correlations for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in laminar and turbulent flow in coiled tubing. The friction-factor correlation for non-Newtonian fluids in laminar flow is based on theoretical analysis and numerical solutions of the flow equations of a power-law-model fluid in curved pipes. The empirical correlation for non-Newtonian fluids in turbulent flow is based on full-scale experiments of polymeric-fluid systems in various 1-, 11/2-, and 23/8-in. coiled-tubing reels. To consider the effect of pipe roughness in coiled tubing, a modified correlation is proposed by combining the Srinivasan et al. correlation (Srinivasan et al. 1970) for smooth, curved pipe and the Chen correlation (Chen 1979) for rough, straight pipe. Examples are given to illustrate the applications and accuracies of the newly developed correlations.