Simulation research on erosion of downhole tools with groove structure during hydraulic fracturing

Abstract

Groove structure is the key structure for designing the downhole tools. During the hydraulic fracturing, the flow channel change caused by these groove structure will lead to flow field disturbance, and thus forming the erosion caused by the mixing of solid–liquid two-phase fluid with proppant and fracturing fluid. According to the physical process of hydraulic fracturing, the erosion model of these groove structure is established based on discrete particle model, and the erosion mechanism and characteristic are systemically analyzed. The results indicate that the formation of eddy current disturbance leads to a sharp change in the flow velocity direction, causing proppant particles to impact and wear the downstream surface of the groove structure, resulting in serious erosion. The relationship between the maximum erosion rate and the displacement shows an exponential rising trend, and the larger the displacement, the greater the maximum erosion rate. The maximum erosion rate increases linearly with the increase of proppant particle concentration under different displacements, and the larger the injection displacement, the greater the influence of proppant particle concentration on the maximum erosion rate. This research can provide reference for the anti-erosion design of downhole tools with groove structure.