Two-Way Fluid-Structure Interaction in a Flexible Pipe Conveying Gas-Liquid Slug Flow

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.

Download Full-text

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%.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text