scholarly journals Absolute linear instability in laminar and turbulent gas–liquid two-layer channel flow

2013 ◽  
Vol 714 ◽  
pp. 58-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennon Ó Náraigh ◽  
Peter D. M. Spelt ◽  
Stephen J. Shaw

AbstractWe study two-phase stratified flow where the bottom layer is a thin laminar liquid and the upper layer is a fully developed gas flow. The gas flow can be laminar or turbulent. To determine the boundary between convective and absolute instability, we use Orr–Sommerfeld stability theory, and a combination of linear modal analysis and ray analysis. For turbulent gas flow, and for the density ratio $r= 1000$, we find large regions of parameter space that produce absolute instability. These parameter regimes involve viscosity ratios of direct relevance to oil and gas flows. If, instead, the gas layer is laminar, absolute instability persists for the density ratio $r= 1000$, although the convective/absolute stability boundary occurs at a viscosity ratio that is an order of magnitude smaller than in the turbulent case. Two further unstable temporal modes exist in both the laminar and the turbulent cases, one of which can exclude absolute instability. We compare our results with an experimentally determined flow-regime map, and discuss the potential application of the present method to nonlinear analyses.

Author(s):  
Diana Marcela Martinez Ricardo ◽  
German Efrain Castañeda Jiménez ◽  
Janito Vaqueiro Ferreira ◽  
Pablo Siqueira Meirelles

Various artificial lifting systems are used in the oil and gas industry. An example is the Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP). When the gas flow is high, ESPs usually fail prematurely because of a lack of information about the two-phase flow during pumping operations. Here, we develop models to estimate the gas flow in a two-phase mixture being pumped through an ESP. Using these models and experimental system response data, the pump operating point can be controlled. The models are based on nonparametric identification using a support vector machine learning algorithm. The learning machine’s hidden parameters are determined with a genetic algorithm. The results obtained with each model are validated and compared in terms of estimation error. The models are able to successfully identify the gas flow in the liquid-gas mixture transported by an ESP.


Volume 1 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Gamio ◽  
Juan Castro ◽  
Fabian Garcia-Nocetti ◽  
Luis Aguilar ◽  
Leonardo Rivera ◽  
...  

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) was used to image various two-phase gas-oil flows in a 3-inch pressurized test loop. ECT is a novel non-invasive technique for imaging mixtures of electrically non-conducting substances. One of its most promising applications is the visualization of gas-oil flows. This work presents a series imaging experiments using a pressure-resistant ECT sensor. Varying the oil and gas flow rates, different flow regimes were established in the test loop. ECT images were obtained for each case and compared with (a) the flow observed through a transparent section in the loop and (b) the prediction of the Taitel-Duckler flow map. The results confirm the suitability of ECT for imaging gas-oil flows.


2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1315-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Tanikawa ◽  
T. Shimamoto

Abstract. The difference between gas and water permeabilities is significant not only for solving gas-water two-phase flow problems, but also for quick measurements of permeability using gas as pore fluid. We have measured intrinsic permeability of sedimentary rocks from the Western Foothills of Taiwan, using nitrogen gas and distilled water as pore fluids, during several effective-pressure cycling tests at room temperature. The observed difference in gas and water permeabilities has been analyzed in view of the Klinkenberg effect. This effect is due to slip flow of gas at pore walls which enhances gas flow when pore sizes are very small. Experimental results show (1) that gas permeability is larger than water permeability by several times to one order of magnitude, (2) that gas permeability increases with increasing pore pressure, and (3) that water permeability slightly increases with increasing pore-pressure gradient across the specimen. The results (1) and (2) can be explained by Klinkenberg effect quantitatively with an empirical power law for Klinkenberg constant. Thus water permeability can be estimated from gas permeability. The Klinkenberg effect is important when permeability is lower than 10−18 m2 and at low differential pore pressures, and its correction is essential for estimating water permeability from the measurement of gas permeability. A simple Bingham-flow model of pore water can explain the overall trend of the result (3) above. More sophisticated models with a pore-size distribution and with realistic rheology of water film is needed to account for the observed deviation from Darcy's law.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
L. M. Ruiz Maraggi ◽  
L. W. Lake ◽  
M. P. Walsh

Summary A common approach to forecast production from unconventional reservoirs is to extrapolate single-phase flow solutions. This approach ignores the effects of multiphase flow, which exist once the reservoir pressure falls below the bubble/dewpoint. This work introduces a new two-phase (oil and gas) flow solution suitable to extrapolating oil and gas production using scaling principles. In addition, this study compares the application of the two-phase and the single-phase solutions to estimates of production from tight-oil wells in the Wolfcamp Formation of west Texas. First, we combine the oil and the gas flow equations into a single two-phase flow equation. Second, we introduce a two-phase pseudopressure to help linearize the pressure diffusivity equation. Third, we cast the two-phase diffusion equation into a dimensionless form using inspectional analysis. The output of the model is a predicted dimensionless flow rate that can be easily scaled using two parameters: a hydrocarbon pore volume and a characteristic time. This study validates the solution against results of a commercial simulator. We also compare the results of both the two-phase and the single-phase solutions to forecast wells. The results of this research are the following: First, we show that single-phase flow solutions will consistently underestimate the oil ultimate recovery factors (URFs) for solution gas drives. The degree of underestimation will depend on the reservoir and flowing conditions as well as the fluid properties. Second, this work presents a sensitivity analysis of the pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) properties, which shows that lighter oils (more volatile) will yield larger recovery factors for the same drawdown conditions. Third, we compare the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) predictions for two-phase and single-phase solutions under boundary-dominated flow (BDF) conditions. The results show that single-phase flow solutions will underestimate the ultimate cumulative oil production of wells because they do not account for liberation of dissolved gas and its subsequent expansion (pressure support) as the reservoir pressure falls below the bubblepoint. Finally, the application of the two-phase model provides a better fit when compared with the single-phasesolution. The present model requires very little computation time to forecast production because it only uses two fitting parameters. It provides more realistic estimates of URFs and EURs, when compared with single-phase flow solutions, because it considers the expansion of the oil and gas phases for saturated flow. Finally, the solution is flexible and can be applied to forecast both tight-oil and gas condensate wells.


Author(s):  
Abolore Abdulahi ◽  
Lokman A. Abdulkareem ◽  
Safa Sharaf ◽  
Mukhtar Abdulkadir ◽  
Valente Hernandez Perez ◽  
...  

Pipes that make up oil and gas wells are not vertical but could be inclined at any angle between the vertical and the horizontal which is a significant technology of modern drilling. Hence, this study has been undertaken to look at the effect of inclination on flow characteristics especially at 10 degrees from both horizontal and vertical. Air/silicone oil flows in a 67 mm slightly deviated pipe have been investigated using advanced instrumentation: Wire Mesh Sensor Tomography (WMS) and Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT). They provide time and cross-sectionally resolved data on void fraction. Both the ECT probes and WMS were mounted on the inclined pipes upstream just at the point where flows were fully developed. By keeping the liquid flow rate constant at 10 litres/min (or liquid superficial velocity of 0.052m/s), gas flow rate was varied from 10 litres/min to 1000 litres/min (or gas superficial velocity from 0.05m/s to 4.7m/s). Then other values of liquid superficial velocity were considered. Visual observations were considered. Time series and void fraction were then measured for WMS while time series and liquid holdup were measured for ECT. The raw data were processed and then interpreted for proper analysis. From an analysis of the output from the tomography equipment, flow patterns were identified using both the reconstructed images as well as the characteristic signatures of Probability Density Function (PDF) plots of the time series of cross-sectionally averaged void fraction as suggested by some authors. Bubbly, slug and churn flows were observed for 10° from vertical pipe while bubbly, plug as well as slug flow when the pipe was inclined at 10° from horizontal. Examples of the PDFs are well illustrated which compares the use of ECT with WMS. In addition, statistical data such as Power Spectral Density (PSD), dominant frequency, mean void fraction as well as the structure velocities from cross correlation of the two planes of ECT have been identified.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Ji ◽  
Yuxing Li ◽  
Cuiwei Liu ◽  
Dongxu Wang ◽  
Huafei Jing

Nowadays, the exploitation and transportation of marine oil and gas are mainly achieved using multiphase flow pipelines. Leakage detection of multiphase flow pipelines has always been the most difficult problem regarding the pipeline safety. Compared to other methods, acoustic detection technology has many advantages and high adaptability. However, multiphase flow pipelines are associated with many noise sources that affect the extraction and recognition of leakage signals. In this study, the mechanism of leakage acoustic source generation in gas-liquid, two-phase pipelines is analyzed. First, an acoustic leakage detection experiment in the multiphase pipelines is conducted. The acoustic signals are divided into two classes in accordance with whether leakage occurs or not. The original signals are processed and analyzed based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) processing technology. Based on the use of signal processing, this study shows that EMD technology can accurately identify the leakage signal in the gas-liquid, two-phase pipeline. Upon increases in the leakage aperture sizes, the entropy of the EMD information of the acoustic signals gradually increases. Finally, the method of the normalized energies characteristic value of each IMF component is also applied in leakage signal processing. When the liquid flow is maintained constant, the energy values of the IMF components change in a nonlinear manner when the gas flow rate increases. This verifies the feasibility of use of the acoustic wave sensing technology for leak detection in multiphase flow pipelines, which has important theoretical significance for promoting the development of safe and efficient operation in two-phase flow pipelines.


2003 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 266-270
Author(s):  
B.H. Khudjuyerov ◽  
I.A. Chuliev

The problem of the stability of a two-phase flow is considered. The solution of the stability equations is performed by the spectral method using polynomials of Chebyshev. A decrease in the stability region gas flow with the addition of particles of the solid phase. The analysis influence on the stability characteristic of Stokes and Archimedes forces.


1986 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1001-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Fořt ◽  
Vladimír Rogalewicz ◽  
Miroslav Richter

The study describes simulation of the motion of bubbles in gas, dispersed by a mechanical impeller in a turbulent low-viscosity liquid flow. The model employs the Monte Carlo method and it is based both on the knowledge of the mean velocity field of mixed liquid (mean motion) and of the spatial distribution of turbulence intensity ( fluctuating motion) in the investigated system - a cylindrical tank with radial baffles at the wall and with a standard (Rushton) turbine impeller in the vessel axis. Motion of the liquid is then superimposed with that of the bubbles in a still environment (ascending motion). The computation of the simulation includes determination of the spatial distribution of the gas holds-up (volumetric concentrations) in the agitated charge as well as of the total gas hold-up system depending on the impeller size and its frequency of revolutions, on the volumetric gas flow rate and the physical properties of gas and liquid. As model parameters, both liquid velocity field and normal gas bubbles distribution characteristics are considered, assuming that the bubbles in the system do not coalesce.


Author(s):  
Ikpe E. Aniekan ◽  
Owunna Ikechukwu ◽  
Satope Paul

Four different riser pipe exit configurations were modelled and the flow across them analysed using STAR CCM+ CFD codes. The analysis was limited to exit configurations because of the length to diameter ratio of riser pipes and the limitations of CFD codes available. Two phase flow analysis of the flow through each of the exit configurations was attempted. The various parameters required for detailed study of the flow were computed. The maximum velocity within the pipe in a two phase flow were determined to 3.42 m/s for an 8 (eight) inch riser pipe. After thorough analysis of the two phase flow regime in each of the individual exit configurations, the third and the fourth exit configurations were seen to have flow properties that ensures easy flow within the production system as well as ensure lower computational cost. Convergence (Iterations), total pressure, static pressure, velocity and pressure drop were used as criteria matrix for selecting ideal riser exit geometry, and the third exit geometry was adjudged the ideal exit geometry of all the geometries. The flow in the third riser exit configuration was modelled as a two phase flow. From the results of the two phase flow analysis, it was concluded that the third riser configuration be used in industrial applications to ensure free flow of crude oil and gas from the oil well during oil production.


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