Modeling the Effects of Various Liquid Droplet Sizes in Acoustic Deliquification Techniques

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiman Al Munif ◽  
Ahmed Alrashed ◽  
Kanat Karatayev ◽  
Jennifer Miskimins ◽  
Yilin Fan
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Liquid Droplets ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
Air Velocity ◽  
Liquid Loading ◽  
Artificial Lift ◽  
Tool Surface ◽  
Droplet Sizes

Abstract Liquid loading is a major challenge in natural gas wells. Enhancing the production in liquid loading natural gas wells using an acoustic liquid atomizer tool is proposed as a possible artificial lift method. The effect of different droplet sizes on the transport efficiency and the performance of the proposed technique during production are studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. Also, the liquid behavior and fluid dynamics after applying the atomization mechanism are reviewed. In the model, the tool is placed axially in the middle of the gas/air flowing wellbore. To reduce computational time, the tool and pipe are cut symmetrically. The pipe diameter is 4 in, and the four injectors diameters are each 0.04 in. The orientation of the injectors is set to 90° with the sprayers facing sideways, while water liquid droplets are injected from the tool surface into the air flow at angles from 45° to the flow direction. Unstructured hybrid mesh is used to allow the cells to assemble freely within the complex geometry. Sensitivity tests were conducted with droplet sizes ranging between 30-300 µm. The CFD results showed that water liquid droplets of size 30 µm followed the pathway along the tool surface due to the low mass of the droplets and high air velocity. This phenomenon is called wall impingement and occurs where the droplets are very small and clustering on the wall. The 200 and 300 µm water liquid droplets kept their inertial high chaotic movements in all directions within the computational fluid domain due to the increased weight of the droplets. These larger sized droplets withstand the backpressure from high turbulent air velocity and tend to keep their inertial turbulent movement. This research presents a set of CFD results to further evaluate acoustic atomization as a possible artificial lift technique. This technique has never been commercially applied in the oil and gas industry, and continued evaluation of such methods is a vital addition to the industry as it brings the potential for new lower cost artificial lift technologies. If completely developed, this technique can bring a cost-effective solution compared to conventional artificial lift methods.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of the Transient Behavior of Liquid Loading in Gas Wells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Khaled ◽  
Mohammad Azizur Rahman ◽  
Ibrahim Hassan ◽  
Rasel A. Sultan ◽  
Rashid Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Transient Behavior ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
Hexahedral Mesh ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
Liquid Loading

Abstract Liquid loading is one of the major flow assurance challenges in gas wells, causing production problems and reducing the ultimate recovery. Liquid loading is defined as the inability of a well to carry all the co-produced liquid up the tubing. This leads to liquid accumulation in the well resulting in increased bottomhole pressure and decline of gas flow rate. Although many studies have been performed on liquid loading phenomena, available models generally lack the ability to capture transient behavior of liquid loading in gas wells. We have developed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model using Ansys Fluent 19.1 R3 version to model the transient features of liquid loading. In this study, the CFD model is developed and validated with data from 42 meter long vertical pipe lab at Texas A&M University. The Eulerian multiphase approach combined with volume of fluid approach (VOF) - Multi-fluid VOF model with realizable k-Є turbulence closure is used to study the flow behavior. In addition, hexahedral mesh is utilized and compared to tetrahedron mesh to test accuracy and computational time. The developed CFD model has unique parameters combinations that shows an acceptable agreement with the experimental work. Model accuracy and computational time is improved by using hexahedral mesh. Liquid film flow reversal mechanism is expected to be the root cause of liquid loading in gas wells rather than droplet fall back mechanism. The CFD model captures the transition from one phase to another that is crucial for determining well end life. Model novelty is based on the ability to be a reliable predictive tool that can help in the remediation of liquid loading and give a precise representation of liquid loading transient behavior in gas wells.

A New Artificial Lifting Technology for Gas Wells-Downhole Gas Compression

2013 ◽  
Vol 753-755 ◽  
pp. 2689-2692
Author(s):  
Xiang Liu ◽  
Zhi Chao Qiu ◽  
Chun Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Ordos Basin ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
Liquid Loading ◽  
Artificial Lift ◽  
Gas Compression ◽  
Effective Drainage ◽  
Gas Fields

Downhole Gas Compression (DGC) is an entirely new powered artificial lift technology specifically for natural gas wells. The technology offers the opportunity to increase production by 30-50%, significantly improve reserves and delay the onset of liquid loading. Key application of DGC is for use in deeper partially depleted reservoir wells encountering liquid loading. The research progress of DGC is introduced in this paper and the results of theoretical and experimental study of DGC are investigated. Moreover, the adaptability and application prospect of this new technology is analyzed. There are many gas fields in China faced with problems about effective drainage and recovery enhancement, such as the mature gas fields in Sichuan and Ordos Basin. DGC will have a good application prospect in China and further study of the DGC technology is recommended.

Well Completion for Effective Deliquification of Natural Gas Wells

2011 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Yilin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
Liquid Loading ◽  
Gas Recovery ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
Reservoir Permeability ◽  
Gas Fields ◽  
Gas Lift

Liquid loading has been a problem in natural gas wells for several decades. With gas fields becoming mature and gas production rates dropping below the critical rate, deliquification becomes more and more critical for continuous productivity and profitability of gas wells. Current methods for solving liquid loading in the wellbore include plunger lift, velocity string, surfactant, foam, well cycling, pumps, compression, swabbing, and gas lift. All these methods are to optimize the lifting of liquid up to surface, which increases the operating cost, onshore, and offshore. However, the near-wellbore liquid loading is critical but not well understood. Through numerical reservoir simulation studies, effect of liquid loading on gas productivity and recovery has been quantified in two aspects: backup pressure and near-wellbore liquid blocking by considering variable reservoir permeability, reservoir pressure, formation thickness, liquid production rate, and geology. Based on the new knowledge, we have developed well completion methods for effective deliquifications. These lead to better field operations and increased ultimate gas recovery.

Optimization of a Minienvironment Design Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
A. Tannous
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Geometric Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Air Velocity ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Tool Surface ◽  
Recirculation Zones ◽  
Finite Volume Approach

This paper discusses the use of a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) code for the design and optimization processes of a minienvironment mounted on a wafer process tool. The three-dimensional code was used to predict the air velocity flied and pressure distribution in the minienvironment based on a finite volume approach. The geometric model consists of the minienvironment, the tool surface, and the integrated I/O Indexer interfaces. The airflow in the minienvironment (with a conceptual design configuration) was simulated. The results prompted a design change. The new design has a desirable airflow for a more effective minienvironment performance. Particular attention was paid to air recirculation zones that could potentially trap particles generated during the process and to maintaining a positive differential pressure to prevent cross contamination. CFD was shown to be an important step in the design process.

scholarly journals Visualization and Analysis Studies of Hollow Cone Spray under low Air Cross Flow Velocity under Atmospheric Condition

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Ban Jabar ◽  
Ahmed Abed al-Kadhem Majhool
Keyword(s):  
Cross Flow ◽  
Atmospheric Condition ◽  
Liquid Droplets ◽  
Hollow Cone ◽  
Air Velocity ◽  
Droplet Sizes ◽  
Cross Flow Velocity ◽  
Droplet Trajectory ◽  
Downstream Flow ◽  
Hollow Cone Spray

This study deals with the atomization of hollow cone spray water with low air cross flow. The visualization of the hollow cone spray by shadowgraphy, from the nozzle exit. The diameter of the nozzle allows to observe different modes of breakup and different structures (ligaments, helices, ...). The treatment of these images makes it possible to determine the drop size distribution of the spray droplets in function of length scales of the downstream flow. In the measurements of water hollow cone spray with injection pressures of 25kPa and air velocity of 10 m/sec. The calculations at the exit of the injector, in two planes perpendicular, and the average droplet sizes in the presence of air low cross flow conditions. The structure and characteristics of the whole and sectional body of the spray are investigated at different times. The results show the droplet trajectory profile of the liquid droplets is in a good an agreement with analytical solution.

Split Estate and Wyoming’s Orphaned Well Crisis: The Case of Coalbed Methane Reclamation in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Bills Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Coalbed Methane ◽  
Powder River Basin ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
Mineral Rights ◽  
Split Estate ◽  
Legal Condition

This case presents the stakeholder conflicts that emerge during the development and subsequent reclamation of abandoned natural gas wells in Wyoming where split estate, or the separation of surface land and mineral rights from one another, occurs. From 1998 to 2008, the Powder River Basin of northeastern Wyoming experienced an energy boom as a result of technological innovation that enabled the extraction of coalbed methane (CBM). The boom resulted in over 16,000 wells being drilled in this 20,000 square-mile region in a single decade. As of May 2017, 4,149 natural gas wells now sit orphaned in Wyoming as a result of industry bankruptcy and abandonment. The current orphaned wells crisis was partially enabled by the patchwork of surface and mineral ownership in Wyoming that is a result of a legal condition referred to as split estate. As the CBM boom unfolded in this landscape and then began to wane, challenges emerged most notably surrounding stalled reclamation activities. This case illuminates these challenges highlighting two instances when split estate contributed to issues between landowners and industry operators which escalated to litigation.

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