Effect of High Oil Viscosity on Oil-Gas Flow Behavior in Vertical and Highly Deviated Pipes
Auzan Soedarmo, PhD Student, Research Assistant
TUFFP conducted experimental studies on two-phase gas-liquid flow using high oil viscosity (µo = 213 cP) for inclined pipes (±5º to ±85º). These studies investigated the effect of oil viscosity on two phase flow parameters such as flow pattern, pressure drop, liquid holdup, and slug characteristics. The results from these studies were used to explore improvements in the existing data processing algorithm for signal filtering and slug flow characterization.
The experimental objective is a continuation of the projects of Al-Ruhaimani (2015) and Chung (2013) using the TUFFP 2-in. ID Gas/Oil/Water flow loop. The fluids are mineral oil (Lubsoil ND-50) and compressed air. The experimental work is being conducted for ± 5°, 10°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 70°, 80° and 85° deviation angles; two oil viscosities ( 213 cP and 587 cP); and superficial liquid and gas velocities in a range from 0.05 to 0.7 m/s and 0.1 to 5 m/s, respectively.
The second goal of this study is to use the experimental results to improve the procedure used to analyze the signals from capacitance sensors in order to extract slug characteristics. Currently a new data processing algorithm has been developed and testing against existing algorithms is ongoing.
This study is part of the high oil viscosity efforts initiated by TUFFP, and is focused on the effect of high liquid viscosity on vertical (180 cP<µo< 587 cP) and highly deviated gas liquid two phase flow. In addition to pressure drop, flow pattern and liquid holdup, slug characteristics are collected on high viscosity oil conditions. Acquired data will be used to verify and improve the closure relationships used for the existing mechanistic models.