Cooperation in refurbishment project of big multiphase flow rig for the study of separated two-phase flow

Abstract

Two-phase flows are observed in many natural and industrial processes. Considering only gas-liquid and liquid-liquid mixtures, an arrangement of common occurrence is the separated flow, which comprises the stratified flow pattern. It has been suggested as a convenient way to avoid the formation of emulsions of water in oil in pipelines and has a common occurrence in directional oil wells. The hydrodynamic stability problem of separated flow patterns phases along a line is still an open issue and in no way trivial, even considering the simplified situation of adiabatic and isothermal flow. We propose a 60-day cooperation with the University of Nottingham, through the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, where there are currently research projects on two-phase flow in large pipes and stratification process being carried out. The former includes the development of modeling tools for the simulation of complex multiphase flows for application in the oil and gas industry and biomedical industry, among others. To do so it will require data collection and validation to identify what needs to be modeled, for example, the atomization of drops in the stratified interface. The second project is focused on improving the understanding of the separation process aimed at the design of continuous separators. There are research projects related to the above in development at NETeF - EESC - USP and funded, among others, by FAPESP. Furthermore, contact with a big multiphase-flow line and latest-generation instrumentation (Wire-Mesh Sensor, PIV, PDA and high-speed and resolution video camera) will be extremely useful, considering that a similar line will be mounted at USP - São Carlos as part of an infrastructure project sponsored by PETROBRAS, under my coordination. (AU)