Transport of Solid Particles with Fluid Flow in Rotating Pipes

Abstract

Abstract The article addresses the recent problem of borehole lifting of oil containing sand solids. The presence of sand in oil produced results in a reduced operating life of downhole equipment. The problem of preventing sanding up and sand formation in pumping equipment may be solved and stable sand production may be ensured by producing oil using borehole screw pumps with a surface-type drive, in which the screw is rotated by rotating hollow rods. Rotating hollow rods improve carry-over of sand particles to the surface with rotational oil flow by imparting additional momentum to these particles. Rotational variables of the pipe (cylinder) that enables transport of solids are set only for the air flow moving in a horizontal pipe (cylinder). The purpose of the study is to establish pipe rotational variables in directional wells that enable stable sand transport with fluid flow. Work results have been obtained from numerical studies using the differential equation system and rules of theoretical solid movement, computer simulation and experimental results processing at a laboratory facility. Theoretical study results have been acknowledged by experimental studies. The work establishes the criteria that allow defining the speed range of directional hollow rods that enables carry-over of solids to the surface with fluid flow. Study results may be used to produce oil with submersible screw pumps with a surface-type drive that use hollow sucker rods for pump down.