Trapped water flushed by flowing oil in upward-inclined oil pipelines

Guangli Xu, Liangxue Cai, Amos Ullmann, Neima Brauner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Pipe-line corrosion is of a major concern in the transportation of crude oil and natural gas. The corrosion is caused by the presence of water in contact with the walls. Following water-tests and/or shut-down, small amounts of water tend to accumulate at low sections along the pipe line. Flushing out of the water from the pipe by the oil flow is required to avoid damages in the pipeline. From a practical point of view, the minimal oil flow rate required for displacement and flush-out of the accumulated water by the oil flow has to be determined. Experimental study, mechanistic models and numerical simulations are used to investigate the characteristics of water displacement by oil flow in hilly terrain pipelines. Various mechanisms for the onset of water displacement from a lower (horizontal) section into an upward inclined section are considered and the associated minimal (critical) oil-flow rate for the water displacement is evaluated. For oil-flow rates exceeding the critical value, the possible patterns of water movement in the inclined pipe are examined.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUpstream Pipelines; Project Management; Design and Construction; Environment; Facilities Integrity Management; Operations and Maintenance; Pipeline Automation and Measurement
Pages637-647
Number of pages11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Event2012 9th International Pipeline Conference, IPC 2012 - Calgary, AB, Canada
Duration: 24 Sep 201228 Sep 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Biennial International Pipeline Conference, IPC
Volume1

Conference

Conference2012 9th International Pipeline Conference, IPC 2012
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityCalgary, AB
Period24/09/1228/09/12

Keywords

  • Inclined Pipe
  • Oil-water Two Phase Flow
  • Pipeline Internal Corrosion
  • Products Oil Pipeline
  • Water Plug
  • Water Withdrawal

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Materials Chemistry

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