Three dimensional simulation of high speed stable triple-layer method of heavy oil transportation

Lubricated pipeline flows were originally proposed 50 years ago. In this method a low viscous fluid like water is used to lubricate the heavy oil flow as it has a very high viscosity. Because of density difference between these two fluids, the interface is unstable. As a result, we proposed adding another layer which is yield stress fluid and can act like a solid when applied stress is smaller than yield stress. This idea is called visco-plastic lubrication method (VPL) and this idea can stabilize the flow. In addition, we purposefully position a shaped solid yield stress fluid to balance the density difference. In this project, we want to simulate the problem and yield stress fluid sculpting three dimensionally. First of all, we study how we can shape the yield stress fluid with control on flow rates. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Ian Frigaard

Student:

Partner:

Technische Universität Dortmund

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Oil and Gas; Sustainability & the Environment; Other

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: