One-way coupled fluid–structure interaction of gas–liquid slug flow in a horizontal pipe: Experiments and simulations

Abstract The gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC©, The University of Tulsa, 1994) is a simple, compact, and low-cost separator, which provides an economically attractive alternative to conventional gravity-based separators over a wide range of applications. The GLCC© inlet section design is a key parameter, which is crucial for its performance and proper operation. An in-depth evaluation of specific design modifications and their effect on safety and structural robustness are carried out in this study using finite element analysis (FEA). Fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis is also carried out using the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) aimed at investigating the effect of fluid flow on the inlet section structural integrity. The selected design modifications are based on feasibility of GLCC© manufacturing and assembly for field applications. Different case studies incorporating sustained GLCC© internal pressure, dead weight loading, forces generated because of slug flow and high temperatures are analyzed and presented in this paper. The concept of holes cut out in baffle has been effective with no stresses or deformation in the baffle area. FSI simulation of slug flow has proved that FEA direct loading case studies are far more conservative.

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Numerical Study on Fluid Structure Interaction of Slug Flow in a Horizontal Pipeline

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.819.319 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 819 ◽

pp. 319-325

Author(s):

Abdalellah Omer Mohmmed ◽

Mohammad Shakir Nasif ◽

Hussain Hamoud Al-Kayiem ◽

Zahid Ibrahim Al-Hashimy

Keyword(s):

Slug Flow ◽

Maximum Stress ◽

Numerical Study ◽

Fluid Dynamic ◽

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Water Velocity ◽

Design Stage ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction ◽

Model Code

It is well-known that when slug flow occurs in pipes it may result in damaging the pipe line. Therefore it is important to predict the slug occurrence and its effect. Slug flow regime is unsteady in nature and the pipelines conveying it are indeed susceptible to significant cyclic stresses. In this work, a numerical study has been conducted to investigate the interaction between the slug flow and solid pipe. Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) coupling between 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) and 3-D pipeline model code has been developed to assess the stresses on the pipe due to slug flow. Time – dependent stresses results has been analyzed together with the slug characteristic along the pipe. Results revealed that the dynamic behavior of the pipelines is strongly affected by slug parameters. The FSI simulation results show that the maximum stresses occurred close to the pipe supports due to slug flow, where the pipe response to the exerted slug forces is extremely high. These stresses will subsequently cause fatigue damage which is likely reduce the total lifetime of the pipeline. Therefore a careful attention should be made during the design stage of the pipeline to account for these stresses. The system has been investigated under multiple water velocities and constant air velocity, the maximum stress was obtained at the water velocity of 0.505 m/s. Moreover, when the water velocity is increased from 0.502 to 1.003 m/s the maximum stress magnitude is decreased by 1.2% and when it is increased to 1.505 m/s the maximum stress is diminished by 3.6%.

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Fluid-Structure Interaction Study of GLCC© Inlet Modifications

Volume 1C, Symposia: Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flows; Gas and Liquid-Solid Two-Phase Flows; Numerical Methods for Multiphase Flow; Turbulent Flows: Issues and Perspectives; Flow Applications in Aerospace; Fluid Power; Bio-Inspired Fluid Mechanics; Flow Manipulation and Active Control; Fundamental Issues and Perspectives in Fluid Mechanics; Transport Phenomena in Energy Conversion From Clean and Sustainable Resources; Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing and Manufacturing Processes ◽

10.1115/fedsm2017-69412 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Srinivas Swaroop Kolla ◽

Ram S. Mohan ◽

Ovadia Shoham

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Slug Flow ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Inlet Section ◽

Dead Weight ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction ◽

Wide Range

The Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC©1) is a simple, compact and low-cost separator, which provides an economically attractive alternative to conventional gravity based separators over a wide range of applications. The GLCC© inlet section design is a key parameter, which is crucial for its performance and proper operation. An in-depth evaluation of specific design modifications and their effectiveness on safety and structural robustness are carried out in this study using Finite Element Analysis. Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis is also carried out utilizing the results of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) aimed at investigating the effect of fluid flow on the inlet section structural integrity. The selected design modifications are based on feasibility of GLCC© manufacturing and assembly for field applications. Different case studies incorporating sustained GLCC© internal pressure, dead weight loading, forces generated because of slug flow and high temperatures are evaluated and presented. The concept of holes cutout in baffle have been proven effective with no stresses or deformation in the baffle area. FSI simulation of slug flow have proved that FEA direct loading case studies are far more conservative.

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Hydraulic Characteristics of Transporting a Piped Carriage in a Horizontal Pipe Based on the Bidirectional Fluid-Structure Interaction

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2018/8317843 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chunjin Zhang ◽

Xihuan Sun ◽

Yongye Li ◽

Xueqin Zhang ◽

Xuelan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traffic Congestion ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Reference Value ◽

Hydraulic Characteristics ◽

Horizontal Pipe ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction ◽

Transportation Modes ◽

Global Transport

Energy shortage restricts the rapid development of the global transport industry. Trying to develop innovative modes of transport becomes an inevitable trend. Hydraulic Capsule Pipelines (HCPs) are the freight transportation modes that use a kind of fluid to push capsules filled with bulk solids materials through water-filled pipelines. HCPs not only alleviate everincreasing costs caused by energy scarcities and oil price up, but also solve issues like traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Published literature is mainly limited to numerical simulation of the unidirectional fluid-structure interaction between the capsules and the fluid inside the pipelines; furthermore, the hydraulic characteristics only involve the speed of the capsules and the pressure drop characteristics of the fluid within the pipe. This research was conducted on the following four aspects of HCPs. First, an improved cylindrical capsule called a “piped carriage” was evaluated. Second, an associated solution between the fluid domain within the pipe and the solid domain of the piped carriage was investigated numerically on the basis of the bidirectional fluid-structure interaction methods. Third, the effects of diameter ratio b (ratio of a diameter of the piped carriage De to a pipe diameter Dp, widely ranging in b=0.4~0.95) on hydraulic characteristics of transporting the piped carriage within the pipeline were extensively discussed. Finally, based on Least-Cost Principle, an optimization model of HCPs was effectively built. The results showed that the simulated results were in good agreement with the experimental results, which further indicated that it was feasible for solving the hydraulic characteristics of transporting the piped carriage by using the bidirectional fluid-structure interaction methods. The results will be of great reference value for further research on HCPs and also provide a theoretical foundation for the optimal design of HCPs.

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