Influence of proppant physical properties on sand accumulation in hydraulic fractures

AbstractThe proppant accumulation form in fractures is related to the formation conductivity after fracture closure, also closely related to the production rate of oil/gas wells. In order to investigate the influence of proppant physical properties on sand accumulation in fractures, a particle–fluid coupling flow model is established based on the Euler two-fluid model. Geometric parameters of a fracture in tight oil wells are approximately scaled in equal proportion as the physical model, which is solved by the finite volume method. And the model accuracy is verified by comparing with the physical experimental simulation in the literature. Results show that the higher proppant concentration corresponds to the faster particle sedimentation rate, and the greater sand embankment accumulation as well. However, the fluid viscosity will increase, inhibiting proppant migration to the deep part of the fracture. Reducing proppant density and particle size will enhance the fluidization ability of particles, which is conducive to the migration to the deep fracture at the initial stage of pumping. But, it is not beneficial to have a desirable accumulation state in the middle and later pumping stage, so it is difficult to obtain a higher comprehensive equilibrium height.

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Numerical investigation on two-fluid model (micropolar-Newtonian) for pulsatile flow of blood in a tapered arterial stenosis with radially variable magnetic field and core fluid viscosity

Computational and Applied Mathematics ◽

10.1007/s40314-016-0367-z ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 719-743 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

R. Ponalagusamy ◽

S. Priyadharshini

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Numerical Investigation ◽

Pulsatile Flow ◽

Fluid Model ◽

Variable Magnetic Field ◽

Arterial Stenosis ◽

Fluid Viscosity ◽

Two Fluid Model ◽

Two Fluid

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Experimental simulation of stationary and traveling density-driven thunderstorm downbursts using the two-fluid model

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics ◽

10.1016/j.jweia.2021.104553 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 211 ◽

pp. 104553

Author(s):

Rose Babaei ◽

Kyle Graat ◽

Calvin Chan ◽

Eric Savory

Keyword(s):

Fluid Model ◽

Experimental Simulation ◽

Two Fluid Model ◽

Two Fluid

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Novel soliton waves of two fluid nonlinear evolutions models in the view of computational scheme

International Journal of Modern Physics B ◽

10.1142/s0217979220500964 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (10) ◽

pp. 2050096 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mostafa M. A. Khater ◽

Raghda A. M. Attia ◽

Sultan S. Alodhaibi ◽

Dianchen Lu

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Fluid Model ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Expansion Method ◽

Wave Solutions ◽

Contour Plots ◽

Two Fluid Model ◽

Soliton Wave Solutions ◽

Moving Fluid ◽

Two Fluid

This paper investigates the soliton wave on a free-moving fluid surface by studying the two-fluid model, which are the fourth-order Boussinesq and the modified Liouville equation. This study depends on one of the computational schemes to find exact and soliton wave solutions of these models. These solutions give novel physical properties of these waves, which enable their use in many fluid applications. In order to achieve our goal, the [Formula: see text]-expansion method is applied to these two models, and for more explanation of the physical properties of these models, some of the obtained solutions are sketched in different forms (two, three-dimensional and contour plots). Moreover, the obtained results are discussed for its novelty and how it changed from that achieved in the previous work.

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Prediction of Air-Water Two-Phase Flow Performance of a Centrifugal Pump Based on One-Dimensional Two-Fluid Model

Journal of Fluids Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.2820652 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 120 (2) ◽

pp. 327-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Kiyoshi Minemura ◽

Tomomi Uchiyama ◽

Shinji Shoda ◽

Kazuyuki Egashira

Keyword(s):

Two Phase Flow ◽

Fluid Model ◽

Fluid Viscosity ◽

Phase Flow ◽

Centrifugal Pumps ◽

Two Phase ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Rotating Impeller ◽

Two Fluid Model ◽

Two Fluid

To predict the performance of centrifugal pumps under air-water two-phase flow conditions, a consistent one-dimensional two-fluid model with fluid viscosity and air-phase compressibility in a rotating impeller is proposed by considering energy changes in the transitional flow from the rotating impeller to the stationary volute casing. The two-fluid model is numerically solved for the case of a radial-flow pump after various constitutive equations are applied. The head and shaft power predicted are found to agree well with the measured values within ±20 percent of the rated flow capacity.

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Propagation, proppant transport and the evolution of transport properties of hydraulic fractures

Journal of Fluid Mechanics ◽

10.1017/jfm.2018.670 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 855 ◽

pp. 503-534 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jiehao Wang ◽

Derek Elsworth ◽

Martin K. Denison

Keyword(s):

Preferential Flow ◽

Fluid Pressure ◽

Fracture Propagation ◽

Hydraulic Fractures ◽

Fracture Aperture ◽

Fluid Viscosity ◽

Fracture Conductivity ◽

Proppant Transport ◽

Fracture Closure ◽

Proppant Embedment

Hydraulic fracturing is a widely used method for well stimulation to enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Permeability, or fluid conductivity, of the hydraulic fracture is a key parameter to determine the fluid production rate, and is principally conditioned by fracture geometry and the distribution of the encased proppant. A numerical model is developed to describe proppant transport within a propagating blade-shaped fracture towards defining the fracture conductivity and reservoir production after fracture closure. Fracture propagation is formulated based on the PKN-formalism coupled with advective transport of an equivalent slurry representing a proppant-laden fluid. Empirical constitutive relations are incorporated to define rheology of the slurry, proppant transport with bulk slurry flow, proppant gravitational settling, and finally the transition from Poiseuille (fracture) flow to Darcy (proppant pack) flow. At the maximum extent of the fluid-driven fracture, as driving pressure is released, a fracture closure model is employed to follow the evolution of fracture conductivity with the decreasing fluid pressure. This model is capable of accommodating the mechanical response of the proppant pack, fracture closure of potentially contacting rough surfaces, proppant embedment into fracture walls, and most importantly flexural displacement of the unsupported spans of the fracture. Results show that reduced fluid viscosity increases the length of the resulting fracture, while rapid leak-off decreases it, with both characteristics minimizing fracture width over converse conditions. Proppant density and size do not significantly influence fracture propagation. Proppant settling ensues throughout fracture advance, and is accelerated by a lower viscosity fluid or greater proppant density or size, resulting in accumulation of a proppant bed at the fracture base. ‘Screen-out’ of proppant at the fracture tip can occur where the fracture aperture is only several times the diameter of the individual proppant particles. After fracture closure, proppant packs comprising larger particles exhibit higher conductivity. More importantly, high-conductivity flow channels are necessarily formed around proppant banks due to the flexural displacement of the fracture walls, which offer preferential flow pathways and significantly influence the distribution of fluid transport. Higher compacting stresses are observed around the edge of proppant banks, resulting in greater depths of proppant embedment into the fracture walls and/or an increased potential for proppant crushing.

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Solid-Liquid Flow Through a Wellhead Choke Valve

Volume 4: Fluid-Structure Interaction ◽

10.1115/pvp2013-97737 ◽

2013 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stefano Malavasi ◽

Gianandrea Vittorio Messa ◽

Giacomo Ferrarese

Keyword(s):

Fluid Model ◽

Liquid Mixtures ◽

Oil Extraction ◽

Main Concern ◽

Critical Areas ◽

Solids Concentration ◽

Sand Accumulation ◽

Extraction Processes ◽

Two Fluid Model ◽

Solid Liquid

Wellhead choke valves are often subjected to the flow of solid-liquid mixtures due to sand production in oil extraction processes. Generally, the mixture is very dilute, and the main concern of engineers is the extensive wear arising from the continuous impacts between the particles and the internal parts of the valve. However, specific heavy oil extraction processes, such as the CHOPS technique, involve the production of a large amount of sand in the flow during the first months of life of the well. Many problems may arise from these high solid loadings, such as the change of regulation and dissipation characteristics of the device, and the risk of occlusion due to sand accumulation. In the present work the flow of sand-water mixtures through a choke valve is investigated by means of a two-fluid model which has already proved reliable for simpler flows. Starting from the single-phase flow case, validated with respect to our own experimental data, the effect of the presence of sand is studied, focusing on the influence of solids concentration (5 to 20%) and particle size (90 to 200 μm) on the dissipation characteristics of the device. Moreover, the distribution of the solids concentration is investigated to understand the behavior of the mixture and identify the most critical areas within the device.

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