Prediction of erosion in oil and gas pipeline using CFD simulation software (ANSYS FLUENT)

Abstract

Oil and gas industry is the area where the continuous risk always prevails in the atmosphere. The pipeline used to transport the oil is subjected to various erosion and corrosion problems. Erosion is one of the hidden hazards left unnoticed. Study in this area has a lot importance in the safety point of view, thus application of computational fluid dynamics in the field of oil and gas industry has a great importance. Erosion in oil and gas pipeline and auxiliary equipment will cause the severe consequences and the unscheduled down time will be costly. When extracting gas, or transporting oil operators often dont get any other information other than pressure reading. There are no cameras or sensors to tell them how fast things erode. This analysis needs to be done up front to prevent breakdowns. Determining the erosion tolerance of some equipment may help to optimize the equipment placement in a facility. After all, it would be unwise to place equipment prone to erosion where it is hard to get service. Erosion modelling of the pipeline gives light to hotspot at various portion of the pipeline and will be able to predict the life of the pipeline and auxiliary components. In this project I would like to consider the flow characteristic, pipeline analysis on the storage yard of the petroleum industry were a large amount of petroleum products are stored and being transported on daily basis. It will help proper scheduling of the pipeline maintenance and will help to be sure about the inner condition of the pipeline. This project will help to choose the type of pipe fittings in the view point of erosional damages.

Project Guide Dr. T.Ramesh.Assistant Professor , Department of Mechanical Engg. Submitted by, Anu Prasobh C Roll No: 211214014