Sand transport in multiphase flow mixtures in a horizontal pipeline: An experimental investigation

Abstract

An inherent problem with both oil and natural gas production is the deposition of sand particles in pipeline, which could lead to problems such as excessive pressure drops, equipment failure, pipeline erosion, and production decline. The characterization of sand particles transport and sedimentation in different flow systems such as sand-multiphase mixtures is vital to predict the sand transport velocity and entrainment processes in oil and gas transportation pipelines. However, it seems that no model exists able to accurately characterize the sand transport and deposition in multiphase pipeline. In fact, in the last decade several researchers tried to extend the modeling of liquid-solid flow to gas-liquid-solid flow, but no significant results have been obtained, especially in slug flow condition due to the complexity of the phenomenon. In order to develop and validate a mathematical model properly formulated for the calculation of the sand critical deposition velocity in gas-liquid flow, more and more experimental data are necessary. This paper presents a preliminary experimental study of three phase flows (air-water-sand) inside a horizontal pipe and the application of the sand-liquid models present in literature. Significant observations were made during the experimental study from which several conclusions were drawn. Different sand flow regimes were established by physical observation and data analysis: fully dispersed solid flow, moving dunes and stationary bed. The critical deposition velocities were determined at different sand concentrations. It was concluded that sand transport characteristics and the critical deposition velocity are strongly dependent on the gas-liquid flow regime and on sand concentration.

Keywords

Sand transport / Multiphase flow / Minimum transport condition / Deposition / Experimental investigation / Oil and gas

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