Numerical studies of agglomeration and deposition in a viscous flow: mean size, structure of agglomerates and influence of flow configuration on deposition

Abstract

Consulta en la Biblioteca ETSI Industriales (Riunet)

[EN] As conventional reservoirs, known as “easy oil”, are exhausted, the deep water and sub-sea are being explored by the energy producers. Despite the difficulty accessibility of, the companies have to struggle with a high economic impact due to the hydrates formation and the subsequent plugging of the pipeline. Methods of knowing where and when it will take place are needed to prevent the formation and act effectively with the prevention methods available. In the present paper the study of the dependence of the diameter of particles as a function of different parameters and time is presented. To do that, the surface energy and Young’s modulus will be varied in a simplified model that mimics a Couette system. Particle velocity and Reynolds number as a function of time and surface energy; fractal dimension of aggregates with time for different Young’s modulus and surface energy values; particle size as a funtion of Flow number are considered. The deposition of cohesive particles from the turbulent flow in bend has been considered for different ben curvatures. The objective is to study the location of the depositions of hydrates in the connecting elements of pipes, in particular bends, which are used in the transport of oil and gas. It is intended to analyze when the deposition in the bend is bigger for different curvatures of it. We expect to get a result that enables us to relate the curvature of the connecting element with the formation of depositions and the subsequent agglomeration of hydrates. The purpose of this study is to obtain, in a visual way, the behavior of the solid particles present in the fluids and conveyed through the pipelines in order to conclude it there is a dependency between the curvatures the best configuration of the connecting elements more used in facilities of the bend. Is directly dependent on the curvature in these connecting? Can we get a curvature for which the deposition is minimal or non-existent? These questions are to be solved in this study. It is expected that the results obtained will help to a better understanding on how some parameters affect to the hydrates formation.