Non-dimensional distribution pattern analysis of particle transportation in simplified pipeline system

Abstract

Sustainable preservation of pipeline system that deal with particle transportation is more appealing these days. In petroleum industries for instance, sand transported through the pipelines pose serious problems ranging from blockage, corrosion, abrasion and reduction in pipe efficiency to loss of pipe integrity. Accurate four-dimensional simulation that caters the transient effect of the phenomena is used to promote sustainability in design, evaluation and maintenance procedures. This is employed to minimize conventional practices which are costly and inefficient. This work demonstrates the advantages of applying four-dimensional Splitting Fluid-Particle Solver to simulate particle transportation within a simplified pipeline system. Single-phase fluid with solid sphere particles are the assumptions while drift and gravitational forces are taken into account. Effect of fluid flow rate and particle weight alterations are observed within vertical curled and 2-1-2 segmental pipeline. Flow rate variation on multiple inputs shows that proper simulation is essential in order to predict fluid flow behavior prior to pipeline construction. Particle weight variation shows that simulation can lead to better prediction of potential areas of blockage, corrosion, abrasion and other piping system issues. This work proves that four-dimensional simulation can promote sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency of pipeline system management.