Numerical Simulation of Multiphase Flow Erosion in the Gas Well Relief Line Elbow under Supercritical Conditions
Publication: Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 14, Issue 4
Abstract
The erosion of a gas well relief line elbow under supercritical conditions must be investigated, because under these conditions, it may be pierced within a few minutes, which may significantly affect control safety and cause casualties and environmental pollution. Herein, the Eulerian-Lagrangian method was used to establish a numerical model to examine a gas well relief line elbow erosion under supercritical conditions. The numerical model was verified by combining the unit erosion experiments and field failure cases. On this basis, we conducted a simulation analysis of elbow erosion under supercritical conditions according to actual blowout conditions. Nine influencing factors, including the angle of the elbow and discharge volume, were considered. The erosion mechanisms and laws of the elbow under gas–solid two-phase flow, liquid–solid two-phase flow, and gas–liquid–solid three-phase flow were also determined. The erosion laws of the elbow under gas–solid and gas–liquid–solid flow conditions were similar, with severe erosion occurring in the extrados of the elbow. The maximum erosion rate increases with increasing sand content, particle shape coefficient, and temperature, and it decreases with increasing outlet length. Moreover, the maximum erosion rate first increases and then decreases with increasing particle size before finally stabilizing with increasing discharge amount. The erosion rate of the gas–solid flow first increases and then decreases with increasing elbow angle. In contrast, severe erosion occurs on the side wall of the bend for liquid–solid flow conditions. The maximum erosion rate increases with increasing velocity and sand content and decreases with increasing elbow angle and particle shape coefficient. Moreover, it first decreases and then increases with increasing particle size, and it is barely affected by the outlet length and temperature. This study provides key theoretical support for elbow selection and structural optimization.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Research work was financed by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program, named Nonlinear Vibration Characteristics of Key Components of Shale Gas Fracturing Pump (2021YJ0347). Without the support, this work would not have been possible.
References
Ahlert, K. R. 1994. “Effects of particle impingement angle and surface wetting on solid particle erosion of AISI 1018 steel.” M.S. thesis, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Tulsa.
Arabnejad, H., H. Uddin, K. Panda, S. Talya, and S. A. Shirazi. 2021. “Testing and modeling of particle size effect on erosion of steel and cobalt-based alloys.” Powder Technol. 394 (Dec): 1186–1194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2021.09.057.
Batchelor, C. K., and G. K. Batchelor. 1967. An introduction to fluid dynamics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Bilal, F. S., T. A. Sedrez, and S. A. Shirazi. 2021. “Experimental and CFD investigations of 45 and 90 degrees bends and various elbow curvature radii effects on solid particle erosion.” Wear 476 (Jul): 203646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2021.203646.
Bitter, J. G. A. 1963a. “A study of erosion phenomena: Part I.” Wear 6 (1): 5–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1648(63)90003-6.
Bitter, J. G. A. 1963b. “A study of erosion phenomena: Part II.” Wear 6 (3): 169–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1648(63)90073-5.
Cao, X., and W. Peng. 2017. “Erosion mechanism of liquid-solid two-phase flow at inner liner of bimetallic composite tube.” [In Chinese.] Oil Gas Storage Transp. 36 (6): 739–746.
Chen, J., Y. Wang, X. Li, R. He, S. Han, and Y. Chen. 2015. “Reprint of erosion prediction of liquid-particle two-phase flow in pipeline elbows via CFD–DEM coupling method.” Powder Technol. 282 (Sep): 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2015.05.037.
Cui, B., P. Chen, and Y. Zhao. 2022. “Numerical simulation of particle erosion in the vertical-upward-horizontal elbow under multiphase bubble flow.” Powder Technol. 404 (May): 117437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117437.
Duarte, C. A. R., F. J. de Souza, D. N. Venturi, and M. Sommerfeld. 2020. “A numerical assessment of two geometries for reducing elbow erosion.” Particuology 49 (Apr): 117–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2019.01.004.
Farokhipour, A., Z. Mansoori, M. Saffar-Avval, and G. Ahmadi. 2020. “3D computational modeling of sand erosion in gas-liquid-particle multiphase annular flows in bends.” Wear 450 (Jun): 203241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2020.203241.
Finnie, I. 1960. “Erosion of surfaces by solid particles.” Wear 3 (2): 87–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1648(60)90055-7.
Gosman, A. D., and E. Loannides. 1983. “Aspects of computer simulation of liquid-fueled combustors.” J. Energy 7 (6): 482–490. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.62687.
Grant, G., and W. Tabakoff. 1975. “Erosion prediction in turbomachinery resulting from environmental solid particles.” J. Aircr. 12 (5): 471–478. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.59826.
Haider, A., and O. Levenspiel. 1989. “Drag coefficient and terminal velocity of spherical and nonspherical particles.” Powder Technol. 58 (1): 63–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-5910(89)80008-7.
Hirt, C. W., and B. D. Nichols. 1981. “Volume of fluid (VOF) method for the dynamics of free boundaries.” J. Comput. Phys. 39 (1): 201–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9991(81)90145-5.
Huang, C., S. Chiovelli, P. Minev, J. Luo, and K. Nandakumar. 2008. “A comprehensive phenomenological model for erosion of materials in jet flow.” Powder Technol. 187 (3): 273–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2008.03.003.
Jing, J., X. Tang, C. WenBin, Z. Zhang, F. Wan, and S. He. 2021. “Study on erosion characteristics of elbow erosion of manifold for relief pressure of high-yield natural gas well.” [In Chinese.] Surf. Technol. 50 (12): 329–339.
Li, C. 2016. “Deepwater natural gas hydrate and its pipeline transportation technology.” [In Chinese.] Chin. Sci. Bull. 22 (2016): 2449–2462.
Li, R., Z. Sun, A. Li, Y. Li, and Z. Wang. 2022. “Design optimization of hemispherical protrusion for mitigating elbow erosion via CFD-DPM.” Powder Technol. 398 (Jan): 117128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117128.
Liu, F., X. Zeng, and D. Pan. 2013. “The maximum gas production for the testing line during the surface well test.” [In Chinese.] Sci. Technol. Eng. 45 (26): 7788–7792.
Ma, Z. 2006. “Improving the safety awareness of gas wells with high H2S content after uncontrolled blowout.” [In Chinese.] Drilling Prod. Technol. 29 (4): 23–27.
McLaury, B. S., S. A. Shirazi, and E. F. Rybicki. 2010. “Sand erosion in multiphase flow for slug and annular flow regimes.” In Corrosion 2010. Richardson, TX: OnePetro.
McLaury, B. S., S. A. Shirazi, V. Viswanathan, Q. H. Mazumder, and G. Santos. 2011. “Distribution of sand particles in horizontal and vertical annular multiphase flow in pipes and the effects on sand erosion.” J. Energy Resour. Technol. 133 (2): 023001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4004264.
McLaury, B. S., J. Wang, S. A. Shirazi, J. R. Shadley, and E. F. Rybicki. 1997. “Solid particle erosion in long radius elbows and straight pipes.” In Proc., SPE Annual Technical Conf. and Exhibition. Richardson, TX: OnePetro.
Meng, H. C., and K. C. Ludema. 1995. “Wear models and predictive equations: Their form and content.” Wear 181 (Mar): 443–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1648(95)90158-2.
Menter, F. R. 1992. Improved two-equation k-omega turbulence models for aerodynamic flows. Rep. No. A-92183. 1992. Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Menter, F. R. 1994. “Two-equation eddy-viscosity turbulence models for engineering applications.” AIAA J. 32 (8): 1598–1605. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.12149.
Menter, F. R. 2009. “Review of the shear-stress transport turbulence model experience from an industrial perspective.” Int. J. Comput. Fluid Dyn. 23 (4): 305–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/10618560902773387.
Morsi, S. A. J., and A. J. Alexander. 1972. “An investigation of particle trajectories in two-phase flow systems.” J. Fluid Mech. 55 (2): 193–208. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112072001806.
Oka, Y. I., K. Okamura, and T. Yoshida. 2005. “Practical estimation of erosion damage caused by solid particle impact: Part 1: Effects of impact parameters on a predictive equation.” Wear 259 (1–6): 95–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2005.01.039.
Oka, Y. I., and T. Yoshida. 2005. “Practical estimation of erosion damage caused by solid particle impact: Part 2: Mechanical properties of materials directly associated with erosion damage.” Wear 259 (1–6): 102–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2005.01.040.
Pei, J., A. Lui, Q. Zhang, T. Xiong, P. Jiang, and W. Wei. 2018. “Numerical investigation of the maximum erosion zone in elbows for liquid-particle flow.” Powder Technol. 333 (Jun): 47–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2018.04.001.
Peng, W. 2017. Study on the solid particle erosion mechanism of pipe bend for multiphase flow. [In Chinese.] Beijing: China Univ. of Petroleum.
Peng, W., and X. Cao. 2016. “Numerical simulation of solid particle erosion in pipe bends for liquid–solid flow.” Powder Technol. 294 (Jun): 266–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.02.030.
Veritas, D. N. 2007. “Recommended practice RP O501 erosive wear in piping systems.” DNV Recommended Pract. 4 (Jul): 1–43.
Wang, Z. 2014. Question and answer of well control equipment technology. [In Chinese.] Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press.
Xiao, F., M. Luo, S. Kuang, M. Zhou, J. Jing, J. Li, R. Lin, and J. An. 2021. “Numerical investigation of elbow erosion in the conveying of dry and wet particles.” Powder Technol. 393 (Nov): 265–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2021.07.080.
Xu, L., F. Wu, Y. Yan, X. Ma, Z. Hui, and L. Wei. 2021. “Numerical simulation of air-solid erosion in elbow with novel arc-shaped diversion erosion-inhibiting plate structure.” Powder Technol. 393 (Nov): 670–680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2021.08.022.
Yang, S., J. Fan, L. Zhang, and B. Sun. 2021. “Performance prediction of erosion in elbows for slurry flow under high internal pressure.” Tribol. Int. 157 (May): 106879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2021.106879.
Zhang, Y., E. P. Reuterfors, B. S. McLaury, S. A. Shirazi, and E. F. Rybicki. 2007. “Comparison of computed and measured particle velocities and erosion in water and air flows.” Wear 263 (1–6): 330–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2006.12.048.
Zhu, H. 2020. Flow erosion mechanism and numerical study of petroleum pipe string. [In Chinese.] Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press.
Zhu, H., Y. Lin, D. Zeng, Y. Zhou, and J. Xie. 2012. “Simulation analysis of flow field and shear stress distribution in internal upset transition zone of drill pipe.” Eng. Fail. Anal. 21 (Apr): 67–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2011.11.017.
Zhu, H., J. Wang, B. Ba, Z. Wu, and W. Wang. 2015. “Numerical investigation of flow erosion and flow induced displacement of gas well relief line.” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind. 37 (Sep): 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2015.06.015.
Zhu, H., J. Wang, X. Chen, and J. She. 2014. “Numerical analysis of the effects of fluctuations of discharge capacity on transient flow field in gas well relief line.” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind. 31 (Sep): 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2014.07.008.
Zolfagharnasab, M. H., M. Salimi, H. Zolfagharnasab, H. Alimoradi, M. Shams, and C. Aghanajafi. 2021. “A novel numerical investigation of erosion wear over various 90-degree elbow duct sections.” Powder Technol. 380 (Mar): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2020.11.059.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 14 • Issue 4 • November 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 25, 2022
Accepted: May 17, 2023
Published online: Jul 7, 2023
Published in print: Nov 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Dec 7, 2023
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.