Study on the hydraulic conveyance characteristics of suspended coarse particles within pipelines

Abstract

The Flow Regime Transition Device transforms the gelled crude oil mass into gelled crude oil particles for hydraulic conveying. The gelled crude oil particles may reaggregate into gelled crude oil mass at the later stage of hydraulic conveying. Therefore, understanding the patterns of hydraulic suspension conveying gelled crude oil particles is vital for safely gathering and efficiently conveying crude oil. This paper employs the CFD-DEM coupling technique to conduct a numerical study on the hydraulic conveying characteristics of gelled crude oil particles. The accuracy of the model and the solution method is verified by comparing them with the experimental data of particle concentration distribution, and single particle rise behavior, and particle transport flow of gelled crude oil. The size range of gelled crude oil particles spans from 0.0001 m to 0.003 m. We operate the transportation within a velocity range of 0.5 to 4 m/s and a concentration range of 0.022 to 0.0537. Simulation results indicate two flow regimes in the hydraulic conveying of gelled crude oil particles: an upper-moving bed flow and a heterogeneous suspension flow. With increased conveying velocity, the upper moving bed flow gradually transitions to a heterogeneous suspension flow. Beneath the upper moving bed flow, some scattered particles exist, likely resulting from the action of turbulent diffusion. Changes in conveying concentration and particle size have a minor impact on the velocity distribution of particles and fluid but a more significant effect on the particle distribution across the pipe cross-section. Also, when conveying particles of different sizes, most smaller particles travel along the pipe wall.