Experimental Study on Sand Transport Characteristics in Horizontal and Inclined Two-Phase Solid-Liquid Pipe Flow
Publication: Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 11, Issue 1
Abstract
An experimental investigation on the hydraulic transport of sand particles in pipelines is presented in both horizontal and 30° upward inclined orientations. The pipe, with an internal diameter of 0.0254 m, had sand transported in various water superficial velocities at low and high sand concentrations [0.1%–10% volume-to-volume ratio (v/v)]. Sand particles were polydisperse (144–250 μm) with a of 210 μm. The minimum transport condition (MTC) was determined by means of video recordings and pressure gradient (PG) measurements. MTC and PG were observed to increase with increase in sand concentration and mixture velocity. At high sand concentrations, there was a decline in PG with decrease in flow velocity until a minimum is reached around the MTC. The MTC at which this occurs is different in the two pipe orientations. Based on a previously reported dimensionless relationship, a correlation was derived now including the effect of pipe inclination using extensive literature data in addition to the current. The effect of key flow, geometric, and particle parameters were adequately captured in the improved closure relationship for sand minimum transport conditions in pipes.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The first author received funding from the Oil and Gas Engineering Centre; Cranfield University, for his doctoral studies. The second and fifth authors received funding from the Nigerian Government for their Ph.D. studies in the UK through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme (PTDF/E/OSS/PHD/AMA/622/12 and PTDF/E/OSS/PHD/BYD/532/12).
References
Aliyu, A. M., A. A. Almabrok, Y. D. Baba, A.-E. Archibong, L. Lao, H. Yeung, and K. C. Kim. 2017. “Prediction of entrained droplet fraction in co-current annular gas–liquid flow in vertical pipes.” Exp. Therm Fluid Sci. 85 (Jul): 287–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2017.03.012.
Al-Mutahar, F. 2006. “Modeling of critical deposition velocity of sand in horizontal and inclined pipes.” M.Sc. thesis, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Tulsa.
Angelsen, S., O. Kvernvold, M. Lingelem, and S. Olsen. 1989. “Long-distance transport of unprocessed HC Sand settling in multiphase pipelines.” In Proc., 4th Int. Conf. on Multiphase Flow, 19–21. Bingley, UK: British Hydromechanics Research Association.
Archibong, A. 2015. “High viscous multiphase flow characteristics in pipelines.” Ph.D. thesis, Oil and Gas Engineering Centre, Cranfield Univ.
Archibong A., W. Yan, Y. Baba, S. Kanshio, and H. Yeung. 2015. “Viscous liquid-gas flow in horizontal pipelines: Experiments and multiphase flow simulator assessment.” In Proc., 17th Int. Conf. on Multiphase Production Technology. Bingley, UK: British Hydromechanics Research Association.
Archibong-Eso, A., Y. Baba, A. Aliyu, N. Okeke, and A. Giwa. 2018a. “Experimental study of high liquid viscosity oil-gas flows using ECT and gamma radiation methods.” Pet. Coal 60 (2): 600–610.
Archibong-Eso, A., Y. Baba, A. Aliyu, Y. Zhao, W. Yan, and H. Yeung. 2018b. “On slug frequency in concurrent high viscosity liquid and gas flow.” J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 163 (Apr): 600–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2017.12.071.
Baba, Y., A. Aliyu, A. Archibong, A. Almabrok, and A. Igbafe. 2018. “Study of high viscous multiphase flow in a horizontal pipe.” Heat Mass Transfer 54 (3): 651–669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-017-2158-5.
Charles, M. E. 1970. “Transport of solids by pipelines.” In Proc., 1st Int. Conf. on Hydraulic Transport of Solids in Pipes. Bingley, UK: British Hydromechanics Research Association.
Charles, M. E., and R. A. Charles. 1971. “Paper 12: The use of heavy media in the pipeline transport of particulate solids.” Adv. Solid–Liquid Flow Pipes Appl. 187–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-015767-2.50015-6.
Danielson, T. 2007. “Sand transport modeling in multiphase pipelines.” In Proc., Offshore Technology Conf. Houston: Offshore Technology Conference.
Davies, J. 1987. “Calculation of critical velocities to maintain solids in suspension in horizontal pipes.” Chem. Eng. Sci. 42 (7): 1667–1670. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2509(87)80171-9.
Durand, R. 1953. “Basic relationships of the transportation of solids in pipes experimental research.” In Proc., Minnesota Int. Hydraulics Convention, 89–103. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Durand, R., and E. Condolios. 1952. Hydraulic transportation of coal and solid material in pipes. London: Colloquium of the National Coal Board.
Fajemidupe, O. T. 2016. “Effect of particle size on sand deposition in single-phase and multiphase pipelines.” Ph.D. thesis, Oil and Gas Engineering Centre, Cranfield Univ.
Fajemidupe, O. T., A. M. Aliyu, Y. D. Baba, A. Archibong-Eso, and H. Yeung. 2019. “Sand minimum transport conditions in gas–solid–liquid three-phase stratified flow in a horizontal pipe at low particle concentrations.” Chem. Eng. Res. Des. 143 (Mar): 114–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2019.01.014.
Gillies, R. G., M. J. McKibben, and C. A. Shook. 1997. “Flow of sand-water mixtures at velocities below deposition point.” Part. Sci. Technol. 36 (09). https://doi.org/10.2118/97-09-03.
Gillies, R. G., C. Shook, B. Kristoff, and P. Parker. 1994. “Sand transport in horizontal wells.” In Proc., 11th Annual Calgary University Heavy Oils and Oil Sands Technology Symp. Calgary, AB, Canada: Calgary Univ.
Gillies, R. G., and C. A. Shook. 2000. “Modelling high concentration settling slurry flows.” Can. J. Chem. Eng. 78 (4): 709–716. https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.5450780413.
Guo, J. 2002. “Hunter Rouse and Shields diagram.” In Advances in hydraulics and water engineering. River Edge, NJ: World Scientific.
Hanks, R. W. 1980. “Slurry pipeline hydraulics: Principles, problems, and solution.” In Proc., ASME Energy Sources Technology Conf. New York: ASME.
Hughmark, G. A. 1961. “Aqueous transport of settling slurry.” Ind. Eng. Chem. 53 (5): 389–390. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50617a029.
Ibarra, R., R. S. Mohan, and O. Shoham. 2014. “Critical sand deposition velocity in horizontal stratified flow.” In Proc., SPE Int. Symp. Exhib. Form, 26–28. Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Najmi, K., A. L. Hill, B. S. McLaury, and S. A. Shirazi. 2015. “Experimental study of low concentration sand transport in multiphase air–water horizontal pipelines.” J. Energy Resour. Technol. 137 (3): 032908. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4029602.
Newitt, D. M., J. F. Richardson, M. Abbott, and R. B. Turtle. 1955. “Hydraulic conveying of solids in horizontal pipes.” Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. 33: 93–113.
Oroskar, A. R., and R. M. Turian. 1980. “The critical velocity in pipeline flow of slurries.” AlChE J. 26 (4): 550–558. https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690260405.
Oudeman, P. 1993. “Sand transport and deposition in horizontal multiphase trunklines of subsea satellite developments.” SPE Prod. Facil. 8 (4): 237–241. https://doi.org/10.2118/25142-PA.
Parzonka, W., J. M. Kenchington, and M. E. Charles. 1981. “Hydrotransport of solids in horizontal pipes: Effects of solids concentration and particle size on the deposit velocity.” Can. J. Chem. Eng. 59 (3): 291–296. https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.5450590305.
Rix, S. J., and S. J. Wilkinson. 1991. The conveying of sand by two-phase flows in horizontal and inclined pipes. Cambridge UK: Univ. of Cambridge.
Roco, M. C. 1977. “Experimental investigation of critical velocity in pipelines for hydro-transport.” St. Cerc. Mec. Appl. 36: 111–112.
Salama, M. M. 2000. “Sand production management.” J. Energy Res. Technol. 122 (1): 29–33. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.483158.
Shields, A. 1936. Anwendung der Ähnlichkeitsmechanik auf die Geschiebebewegung. Berlin: Preussische Versuchanstalt für Wasserbau und Schiffbau, Mitteilungen.
Shook, C. A. and M. A. Shook. 1991. Slurry flow: Principles and practices. Stoneham, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Sinclair, C. G. 1962. “The limit deposit-velocity of hetergeneous suspensions.” In Proc., Symp. on the Interaction between Fluids and Particles. London: Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Soepyan, F. B., S. Cremaschi, C. Sarica, H. J. Subramani, and G. E. Kouba. 2014. “Solids transport models comparison and fine-tuning for horizontal, low concentration flow in single-phase carrier fluid.” AlChE J. 60 (1): 76–122. https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.14255.
Thomas, A. 1979. “Predicting the deposit velocity for horizontal turbulent pipe flow of slurries.” Int. J. Multiphase Flow 5 (2): 113–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/0301-9322(79)90040-5.
Thomas, D. G. 1962. “Characteristics of suspension: Part VI minimum transport velocity of large particle size suspensions in round horizontal pipes.” AlChE J. 8 (3): 373–378. https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690080323.
Turian, R. M., F. L. Hsu, and T. W. Ma. 1987. “Estimation of the critical velocity in pipeline flow of slurries.” Powder Technol. 51 (1): 35–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-5910(87)80038-4.
Wasp, E. J., T. C. Aude, J. P. Kenny, R. H. Seiter, and R. B. Jacques. 1970. “Deposition velocities, transition velocities and spatial distribution of solids in slurry pipelines.” In Proc., 1st Int. British Hydromechanics Research Association Hydraulic Transport of Solids in Pipes Conf., 53–76. Coventry, UK: BHR Group.
Wasp, E. J., J. P. Kenny, and R. L. Gandhi. 1977. Solid–liquid flow in slurry pipeline transportation. Clausthal, Germany: Trans-Tech.
Wicks, M. 1971. “Transport of solids at low concentrations in horizontal pipes.” In Advances in solid-liquid flow in pipes and its applications, edited by I. Zandi, 101–124. Oxford, UK: Pergamon Press.
Yan, W. 2010. “Sand transport in multiphase pipelines.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Process and Systems Engineering, Cranfield Univ.
Zhao, Y., H. Yeung, E. Zorgani, A. Archibong, and L. Lao. 2013. “High viscosity effects on characteristics of oil and gas two-phase flow in horizontal pipes.” Chem. Eng. Sci. 95 (May): 343–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2013.03.0042013.
Zorgani, E. 2012. “An experimental study of sand behaviour in multiphase pipelines.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Process and Systems Engineering, Cranfield Univ.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 11 • Issue 1 • February 2020
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 3, 2018
Accepted: May 6, 2019
Published online: Nov 4, 2019
Published in print: Feb 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Apr 4, 2020
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.