The document reports on a computational study of crude oil flow in a transport pipeline conducted by Harrishchander K and Thanussh R, guided by Dr. C. Jayakumar. The objectives are to examine transient flow patterns and pressure variations. The study focuses on numerical simulations of heavy oil-water ring transport to analyze how density, viscosity, velocity differences, and interfacial tension affect ring stability and pressure drop under various conditions. The methodology involves preprocessing such as geometry design, meshing, and boundary conditions definition, solving the governing equations using the VOF model and k-ω turbulence model, and postprocessing the results.

1. COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF
CRUDE OIL FLOW
IN A TRANSPORT PIPELINE
Guided By: Dr.C.Jayakumar
Done By: Harrishchander K
(2020311014)
Thanussh R (2020311048)

2. OBJECTIVE:
To examine evolving flow patterns under transient conditions and
assess their correlation with changing environmental parameters.
To investigate the variations in pressure gradients.

3. Current heavy oil dilution drag reduction no longer ensures energy and
cost savings in modern industrial production.
New drag reduction technology is essential for low-temperature heavy oil
transportation.
Research focuses on the two-phase flow characteristics and factors
affecting effective drag reduction, including density, viscosity, speed
differences, and interfacial tension.
Numerical simulations analyze heavy oil-water ring transport, determining
relationships between influencing factors, water ring stability, and pressure
drop under varying conditions.
INTRODUCTION:

4. S.NO TITLE AUTHOR YEAR CONTENT
1. Numerical Study of
Water-Oil Two-
Phase Flow
Evolution in a Y-
Junction Horizontal
Pipeline
M. De la Cruz-Ávila,
Carvajal-Mariscal,
Leonardo Di G. Sigalotti
and Jaime Klapp
2022 The work evaluates various injection
configurations for analyzing two-phase flow
behavior through a Y-junction pipeline. It
focuses on minimizing agglomeration
between inlets by separating injection zones
to avoid turbulence. It revealing significant
variations due to the development of swirl
caused by the oil-phase flooding. The supply
configuration plays a crucial role in flow
development, resulting in various flow
patterns. Interface velocities indicate the
transition process and flow pattern
development, driven by phase velocities. The
study emphasizes the importance of careful
selection of the injection supply system for
achieving better emulsion blending in this
type of junction pipeline.
LITERATURE REVIEW:

5. 2. A CFD study on
horizontal oil-
water flow with
high viscosity
ratio.
Jing Shi, Mustapha
Gourma, Hoi
Yeung
2021 A CFD study investigated high-viscosity ratio
horizontal oil-water flow using the VOF
multiphase model and SST k–ω turbulence
scheme. The importance of wall contact
angle in oil fouling in water-lubricated
transport of viscous oil was highlighted. Flow
patterns were predicted satisfactorily, CFD
models provided reasonable estimates of
water lubrication degree for water-lubricated
flow. Detailed characteristics of core annular
flow (CAF) with a high viscosity ratio were
discussed based on 3D simulation results.

6. 3. Experimental
investigation of oil–
water flow in the
horizontal and
vertical sections of a
continuous
transportation pipe
JianleiYang, Peng Li,
Xuhui Zhang, Xiaobing
Lu, Qing Li & Lifei Mi
2021 Experiments investigated oil-water two-
phase flow in both horizontal and vertical
sections of a pipe using white mineral oil
and distilled water. Flow pattern maps
revealed differing characteristics between
horizontal and vertical sections under the
same conditions. The study identified a
transition mechanism for predicting the
boundary between oil-in-water (O/W)
and water-in-oil (W/O) flow in two-phase
flow. Effects of input water cut and
oil/water velocities on dispersed phase
concentration were studied, and
empirical formulas based on the drift-flux
model were derived. Predicted results
aligned well with experimental data,
particularly for the O/W flow pattern.

7. 4. Numerical study on
two-phase flow
characteristics of
heavy oil-water ring
transport boundary
layer
Jiaqiang Jing,
Mingjun Du, Ran
Yin, Yahui Wang,
Yu Teng
2019 Studying heavy oil-water ring transportation in
two-phase flow is essential for understanding
heavy oil behavior in the bottom layer and
boundary layer core and establishing drag
reduction models. Findings show that in the core
area of heavy oil during transportation, there's
essentially no velocity gradient, making it act like
an elastic solid. Water phase friction significantly
impacts pipe pressure drop. Only density
differences affect eccentric water ring formation.
Viscosity differences within a certain range
maintain stable flow, with slightly reduced
pressure drop as heavy oil viscosity decreases.
Optimal flow rates, influenced by velocity
differences, ensure stable and efficient heavy
oil-water ring transportation, with velocity being
a critical factor affecting eccentricity. Increasing
oil-water interfacial tension can reduce
eccentricity and enhance water ring stability.

8. 5. High viscous oil–water
two–phase flow:
experiments &
numerical simulations
Archibong Archibong-Eso,
Jing Shi, Yahaya D. Baba,
Aliyu M. Aliyu, Yusuf O.
Raji and Hoi Yeung
2018 An experimental study investigates
highly viscous oil-water two-phase
flow. Axial pressure measurements
were taken, and flow patterns were
determined. Computational Fluid
Dynamics simulations were conducted.
Results indicate Core Annular Flow
(CAF) dominance at high oil velocities
and Oil Plug in Water Flow (OPF) and
Dispersed Oil in Water (DOW)
dominance at high water velocities.
Pressure gradients decrease initially
with increasing water velocity before
rising again. The CFD results align with
experimental observations.

9. SOFTWARE USED:
In our project, we employ Ansys Fluent software for conducting
simulations and analyzing the dynamic flow behavior. This software
enables us to study and visualize complex flow phenomena within our
transient environment effectively.

10. METHODOLOGY:
The project methodology comprises three key stages:
Preprocessing
Solver
Post processing
These stages collectively form the framework for our research and
analysis.

11. Pre-processing:
In the preprocessing step, we focus on three essential components:
designing the geometry of the pipe,
generating a suitable mesh, and
defining the necessary boundary conditions.
These factors collectively lay the foundation for accurate and
comprehensive simulations in our project.

12. GEOMETRY:

14. MESH:

16. BOUNDARY CONDITIONS:
Velocity Boundary Conditions on the inlet.
Pressure Boundary Conditions on the outlet.
No-slip Boundary Conditions on the outlet.
Pipe Dimensions:
S.No Length Diameter
1. 3m 2.84cm

17. Physical Properties Of Different Heavy Oil Samples (50ᵒC):
Physical Properties Sample1 Sample2 Sample3 Sample4
Density of Heavy Oil (kg/m³ ) 996.3 976.4 956.2 934.7
Viscosity of Heavy Oil (mPa.s) 55306.4 24143.7 7635.6 2037.8
Density of Water (kg/m3 ) 988 988 988 988
Viscosity of Water (mPa.s) 0.561 0.561 0.561 0.561
Tension of Oil-Water Interface
(mN/m)
34.62 35.12 34.83 32.14

18. SOLVER:
GOVERENING EQUATIONS:
MASS EQUATIONS:
MOMENTUM EQUATION:

19. Volume of fluid model
K-ω Turbulance Model

20. RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
In the project, we have completed the preprocessing phase and are
now transitioning to the solver stage to conduct simulations.
Additionally, we plan to perform a grid independence test as part of
our ongoing work.

21. CONCLUSION:
• We concentrate on heavy oil-water ring transport, analyzing key parameters
numerically, including density, viscosity, velocity, and interfacial tension.
• This analysis aims to elucidate their effects on water ring stability and heavy
oil pipe pressure drop, forming integral parts of our ongoing research.

22. REFERENCE:
1. A CFD study on horizontal oil-water flow with high viscosity ratio;
Jing Shi, Mustapha Gourma, Hoi Yeung.
2. Lubricant Transport of heavy oil investigated by CFD by Salim Al
Jadidi.
3. Numerical study on two-phase flow characteristics of heavy oil-
water ring transport boundary layer by Jiaqiang Jing, Mingjun Du,
Ran Yin, Yahui Wang, Yu Teng