Flow-Induced Vibration of a Vertical Pipe: Limitations on Gas

Extraction Flow Rates

Timothy L. Morse, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI

Summary

Flow-induced vibration is the leading cause of brine string failures in solution-mined hydrocarbon
storage caverns in the United States. This article describes why flow-induced vibration occurs,
and how it can be avoided.

Discussion

Long, flexible structures such as pipelines and risers can be

subject to flow-induced vibrationa phenomenon wherein the
external flow past a structure, or the internal flow through a
structure, causes it to vibrate. Such vibration can produce effects
ranging from uncontrolled high stresses that cause sudden failures
to persistent vibratory stresses that cause fatigue-related failures
over time. Flow-induced vibration is a challenge in many
engineering applications, including pipelines, oil risers, bridges,
and heat exchanger tubes.

A brine string is a vertical pipe used to deliver brine down into an

underground natural gas storage cavern to extract the natural gas.
As liquid is pumped down through the pipe, gas is forced out
through the annular space between the pipe and the wellbore
casing, as shown in Figure 1. If the liquid flow velocity is too high,
catastrophic vibration of the vertical pipe can occur due to a type
of flow-induced vibration called fluid-elastic instability.
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of
a natural gas storage cavern.
When extracting the gas, brine is
pumped down the vertical pipe
1
to force gas out of the cavern.
Flow-induced vibration is the leading cause of brine string failures in solution-mined
hydrocarbon storage caverns in the United States, i and can cause failure in other vertical
applications.

As the brine is discharged through the open end of the pipe at the bottom of the cavern, it
decelerates and the exiting flow induces a force on the pipe in the opposite direction. Because
such pipes are never perfectly vertical, this force causes the hanging pipe to bend slightly,
which in turn, alters the direction of the discharging flow (see Figure 2). If the flow velocity is
slow enough, or if the pipe is sufficiently supported for its length, the interaction between the
flow discharge and the dynamics of the pipe are stable. That is, there will be forces on the pipe,
but not catastrophic vibration. If the flow velocity is increased, or the pipe is not properly
supported, the interaction between the pipe and the flow can result in ever-increasing
displacement of the pipe and high stresses. This is called fluid-elastic instability. This instability
can inflict heavy damage, so the flow velocity must be maintained
below the critical velocity (i.e., the onset velocity for this
phenomenon).

The critical velocity can be estimated by numerically solving a set of

equations that model the pipe/fluid interaction. ii The critical velocity is
most strongly dependent on the length of the hanging pipe. Longer
pipes have much lower critical velocities, and thus are more
susceptible to fluid-elastic instability. The pipe stiffness and the pipe
mass also influence the critical velocity.

One complication in the analysis of flow-induced vibration is the

boundary condition that should be assumed at the casing shoe (i.e.,
the base of the wellbore casing and the top of the cavern). The pipe
can move at that location, but its movement is restricted. A
conservative assumption (i.e., one that tends to predict a lower critical
velocity) is that the pipe is supported only at the surface, and the
casing shoe provides no additional support. Such an assumption may
be too limiting on the allowable flow velocity, significantly limiting the
ability of a well operator to extract gas efficiently.

A more advanced analysis using finite element modeling or a

reliance on prior experience with similarly configured gas caverns Figure 2. Diagram of a hanging
vertical pipe with flow discharge
can allow for a more precise estimation of the critical flow velocity.
through the bottom, open end.
This enables operators to maximize the rate of extraction while still The discharge causes dis-
having confidence that damaging flow-induced vibration will not placement of the pipe from the
occur. vertical.

www.exponent.com
Contribution Author

Timothy L. Morse, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI

Managing Engineer
(508) 652-8525 tmorse@exponent.com
Bio

Dr. Morse specializes in the engineering analysis and experimental testing of thermal and flow
processes and equipment. His project experience has included turbines, compressors, valves,
heat exchangers, boilers, furnaces, autoclaves, heat transfer systems, flammable liquids,
cryogenic liquids, and medical devices. Dr. Morse has performed engineering analysis for the
oil and gas industry, ranging from natural gas extraction facilities to retail motor fuel stations.
He also has experience with offshore facilities.

i
Ratigan, J.L. 2008. Brine string integrity and model evaluation. Solution Mining Research Institute. Fall 2008
Technical Conference, Galveston, TX.
ii
Paidoussis, M.P. 1998. Fluid-structure interactions: Slender structures and axial flow, Vol. 1. Academic Press, San
Diego, CA.

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