Theoretical Evaluation of Two-Phase Flow in a Horizontal Duct with Leaks

Abstract

The transport of oil and its derivates are done, mostly, by pipeline. The time to detect leaks has to be short for pre-venting big disasters in the nature and decreasing losses for industries. The techniques available for leak detection vary from visual inspection to the use of computational techniques such as mathematical modeling. This paper aims to study the fluid dynamics of two-phase flow (water-oil) in the pipe with leakage. The equations of the mass and momentum conservation are numerically solved by using the ANSYSCFX commercial code with the aid of a structured mesh of a horizontal pipe with three holes of leaks. The Eulerian-Eulerian model was adopted considering the oil as continuous phase and water as dispersed phase, and constant fluid properties. With profiles of pressure and volume fraction along the time in the pipe, the influence of leakage on the single-phase (oil) and two-phase (water-oil) was evaluated.

Share and Cite:

M. Araújo, S. Neto and A. Lima, "Theoretical Evaluation of Two-Phase Flow in a Horizontal Duct with Leaks," Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science, Vol. 3 No. 4A, 2013, pp. 6-14. doi: 10.4236/aces.2013.34A1002.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] J. Zhang, “Designing a Cost Effective and Reliable Pipeline Leak Detection System,” Pipeline Reliability Conference, Houston, 19-22 November 1996, 11 Pages.
[2] C. M. Buiatti, “Monitoring of Tubes by Computational Thecniques On-Line,” Dissertation, Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, 1995.
[3] F. M. de Azevedo, “Proposal of Algorithm for Leak Detection in Pipelines Using Frequencial Analysis of Signals Pressure,” Dissertation, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, 2009.
[4] J. Agbakwuru, “Pipeline Potential Leak Detection Technologies: Assessment and Perspective in the Nigeria Niger Delta Region,” Journal of Environmental Protection, Vol. 2, No. 8, 2011, pp. 1055-1061. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jep.2011.28121
[5] C. F. Braga, “Leak Detection by Computer ‘On-Line’ in Tubes Transporting Mixture Gás-Liquid,” Master Dissertation, Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, 2001.
[6] B. A. F. Bezerra, “Leak Detection in Gas Pipelines by the Method of Transient Pressure Using CLP and Sensors,” Monograph (Conclusion of Specialization Course), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, 2008.
[7] F. M. Garcia, J. Giaretton, M. B. Quadri and A. Bolzan, “Fluidodynamic Simulation of Leaking Water in a Section of Duct for Applications in Oil & Gas Industry,” Proceedings of the 6th Brazilian Congress of Research and Development in Oil and Gas, Florianópolis, 9-13 October 2011, pp. 1-8.
[8] J. V. N. de Sousa, A. G. B. de Lima and S. R. de Farias Neto, “Numerical Analysis of Heavy Oil-Water Flow and Leak Detection in Vertical Pipeline,” Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2013, pp. 9-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/aces.2013.31002
[9] A. L. Cunha, “Advanced Non-Isothermal Recovery of Heavy Oil in Petroleum Reservoirs by Numerical Simulation,” Master Dissertation, Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, 2010.
[10] J. R. Welty, C. E. Wicks and R. Wilson, “Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer,” 3th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, 1984.

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.