PhD RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Computational Investigations of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer in Oil and

Gas Pipelines
1. Introduction
A. Background of Study
Multiphase flow is the simultaneous flow of matters with different phases (i.e. gas, liquid or
solid) or matters with different chemical substances but with the same phase (i.e. liquid-liquid
like oil-water).Examples of Areas where Multiphase Flow are found include, Gas-liquid
transportation in pipelines, Crude oil recovery from reservoir, Sediment transport in rivers,
Pollutant transport in the atmosphere, Cloud formation and Fuel injection in engines.
Crude oil and natural gas are found in the wells around coastal area of Nigeria. Pipelines
network are use to convey crude oil or natural gas from several nearby wells from deep water
production platforms to a treatment plant or processing facility. Long pipes with large
diameter are used to move products (oil, gas, refined products) between cities (depots) in
Nigeria.Several compressor stations in gas lines or pump stations are included in
transportation network of crude oil and multi-products pipelines. Distribution pipelines with
small diameters are used to make distribution to storage tanks and facilities. Pipelines are
generally the most economical way of transport large quantities of oil, refined oil products, or
natural gas over land. It has lower cost per unit and higher capacity compared to rail road and
shipping. Although majority of oil at sea is transported by tanker ships.
Two or more different products are transported through multi-product pipelines in sequence
in the same pipeline. Usually, in multi product pipelines there is no separation between the
different products, some mixing of adjacent products occur producing interface. At the
receiving facilities, this interface is usually absorbed in one of the products based on the
predetermined absorption rates. For crude oil that contain varying amount of wax and
paraffin, during the cold climates wax build up may occur within the pipeline and disperse to
form multi-phase flow. Fouling, slug, corrosion, pressure, drop and other mechanical
damages therefore occurs in the pipeline transportation system and consequently put it in an
unsafe, unreliable conditions and uneconomical mode of operations. To secure safe, reliable
and financially profitable field developments (Flow Assurance), the multiphase flow must be
sufficiently controlled.

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B. Statement of Problem
It is critically essential to be able to accurately predict the complex multiphase flow dynamics
in oil and gas production/transportation pipelines, so as to ensure successful and economical
flow of oil and gas from reservoir to the processing plants, which involves network modelling
and transient multiphase flow and heat simulations. Usually it involves effectively handling
many solid deposits, such as, gas hydrates, asphaltene, wax, scale and naphthenates. These
solid deposits can interact with each other and cause damaging blockage in pipelines and
result in flow assurance failure. The financial loss from production interruption or asset
damage due to this kind of failure can be huge.
C. Significance of Study to the Oil and Gas Sector
 To provide qualitative evaluation of flow assurance issues such as erosion, slugging
and hydrate formation.
 CFD modeling for the oil and gas transport will provide detail analysis of the data
can help designers and operators solve flow problems.
 To extend life of flow lines and ultimately, assure the efficient and reliable delivery
of the products.
D. Aims and Objectives of the Research
 The proposed research work is to focus on the computational modelling and analysis
of typical multiphase flow systems using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
techniques.
 To develop suitable CFD multiphase models to analyse the performance of both
steady and transient multiphase flows under various flow and thermal conditions.
 To obtain the optimum flow parameters that can be applied to the pipeline system
design and operation for oil and gas production/transportation.
 To obtain accurate results at lower cost and short time,
E. Contribution(s) to Knowledge
The research has a lot to contribute to knowledge, including the following:
 This research reveals that pipelines are generally the most economical way of
transport large quantities of oil, refined oil products, or natural gas over land.
 The research shows that economical & reliable transportation of oil and gas can be
achieved through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling.
 Efficient flow can be improved through CFD anaysis, and consequently reduces
maintenance cost of flow pipeline system.
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2. Literature Review

Flow assurance involves the reliable, continuous and simultaneous transport of liquid crude
oil, gas, water and sands from the formation to the processing facilities. Flow assurance is
highly needed in production especially remote and deeper waters, where untreated formation
fluids travel longer distances through pipelines, valves and pumping devices before reaching
process equipment. Frequently, untreated hydrocarbons are characterized by the presence of
more than one phase therefore requiring flow assurance evaluation and analysis during the
engineering design stages of the project. Multi-phase fluid transport is a complex and
challenging issue. Most hydrocarbon formations contain a mixture of liquid crude oil, natural
gas and water. Additionally, dislodged sand can be carried with the well fluids. All these
components or phases can be simultaneously present during the production process. Flow
assurance in multi-phase flow analysis using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for oil
and gas applications will allow engineers to perform three-dimensional (3D) simulations of
interpenetrating or immiscible fluids that include effects of pressure, temperature and
liquid/gas mass transfer in detail.

3. Materials and Methods/Research Methodology

A. Relevant Materials/Specification/Sampling Methods/Design Method
In this research work, extensive literature review on every aspect of the research topic will be
carried out from the beginning till the end. Also, computational and experimental facilities
available within the university will be used to conduct the research and obtain some multi-
phase flow parameters which fundamentally essential in evaluating the flow assurance in
pipelines. Simulation using appropriate CFD software will be done to obtain set of results
that can be analyzed graphically and pictorially so that conclusions can be drawn.

B. Techniques/Method(s) used for data Collection/Modeling/Construction

The research work will be conducted using ANSYS CFD software or other CFD software
available in the university CFD laboratory and relevant data needed for simulations will be
provided to get useful information about flow of oil and gas in pipeline system.
C. Method(s) of Data Analysis
The data obtained from the experiments/simulations will be recorded and displayed in an
unambiguous form such as tables, graphs, and charts and also analyzed based on scientific
theories.

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4. Results and Discussion
Analysis/Interpretation/Discussion of Results
The data so gathered from computations and simulations will be carefully analysed for the
flow patterns of oil and gas in pipelines. The results thus obtained will be discussed or
interpreted according to the trends displayed on graphs and charts.

5. Conclusion
Conclusion will be drawn from the discussion of results to see whether the aims and
objectives of the research are met or not.

References
1.Barnea, D. (1987) A unified model for predicting flow-pattern transitions for the whole
range of pipe inclinations, Int. J. Multiphase Flow, 13, 1-12.
2. Bamea, D., O. Shoham, Y. Taitel and A. E. Dukler (1980) "Flow Pattern Transition for
Gas-liquid Flow in Horizontal and Inclined Pipes; Comparison of Experimental Data with
Theory", Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Vol. 6, pp. 217-225.
3. Dukler, A.E. and Y. Taitel (1986) "Flow Pattern Transitions in Gas-liquid Systems:
Measurement and Modeling", Chapter 1 in Multiphase science and Technology, Vol.2, edited
by G.F. Hewitt, J.M. Delhaye, and N. Zuber, Hemisphere, Washington, D.C.
4. Hewitt, G. F. (1982) Chapter 2, Handbook of Multiphase Systems (Ed. G. Hetsroni),
Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, New York.
5. Hoogendoorn, C.J. (1959) "Gas-Liquid Flow in Horizontal pipes", Chem. Engineering
Science 9, pp. 205-217.
6. Kokal, S.L. and J.F. Stanislav (1989) "An Experimental Study of Two-Phase Flow in
Slightly Inclined Pipes-1. Flow Patterns", Chem. Engng Sci. 44, pp. 665479.
7. Lin, P.Y. and T.J. Hanratty (1987)"Detection of Slug Flow from Pressure
Measurements", Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Vol, 13, No. 1, pp. 13-21.
8. Li., P.Y. and T.J. Hanratty (1987) "Effect of Pipe Diameter on Flow Patterns for Air-Water
Flow in Horizontal Pipes", Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Vo1.13, No.4, pp. 549-563.
9. Spedding, P. L. and D.R. Spence (1993) "Flow Regùnes in Two-Phase Gas-liquid Flow",
Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 217-225.
10. Taitel, Y., Barnea, D. and Dukler, A. E. (1980) Modeling Flow pattern transitions for
steady upward gas-liquid flow in vertical tubes, AIChE J, 26, 345-354
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