Energies

Editorial

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4 pages, 188 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020

by Mehrdad Massoudi

Energies 2021, 14(16), 5104; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14165104 - 19 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1885

Abstract

In this Special Issue, all aspects of fluid flow and heat transfer in geothermal applications, including the ground heat exchanger, conduction, and convection in porous media, are considered. The emphasis here is on mathematical and computational aspects of fluid flow in conventional and [...] Read more.

In this Special Issue, all aspects of fluid flow and heat transfer in geothermal applications, including the ground heat exchanger, conduction, and convection in porous media, are considered. The emphasis here is on mathematical and computational aspects of fluid flow in conventional and unconventional reservoirs, geothermal engineering, fluid flow and heat transfer in drilling engineering, and enhanced oil recovery (hydraulic fracturing, steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), CO₂ injection, etc.) applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

Research

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25 pages, 1702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Nonlinear Viscoelastic Model for the Yielding of Gelled Waxy Crude Oil

by Mengran Sun, David Jou and Zhihui Wang

Energies 2021, 14(3), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030536 - 21 Jan 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1953

Abstract

We explore some rheological aspects of the yielding of gelled waxy crude oil on the basis of a fractal model for the structural description of the waxy gel and Marrucci’s model for the time evolution of the stress with mixed elastic and viscous [...] Read more.

We explore some rheological aspects of the yielding of gelled waxy crude oil on the basis of a fractal model for the structural description of the waxy gel and Marrucci’s model for the time evolution of the stress with mixed elastic and viscous effects. With some parameters of the model directly obtained from classic rheometry, and others by fitting the parameters to the experimental data of one shear-rate condition, the flow curves for another shear-rate condition are predicted. Both theoretical curves—the fitting and the predicted ones—share the basic features of the experimental ones. Comparison with results of Maxwell model shows that Marrucci’s model used here leads to much better results, as it incorporates nonlinear viscoelasticity of waxy crude gels in the stress evolution equation. The strain dependence of the elastic modulus also plays a relevant role on the prediction of the model, suggesting a double-network contribution for very small strain values. Due to the inertia of rheometric device, the actual shear rate is often found to depart from the setting one, and modification of shear rate history can be necessary in model validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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17 pages, 6514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling on Effect of Particle Sediment on Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer of Solid–Fluid Suspension

by Yan Wu and Wei-Tao Wu

Energies 2021, 14(2), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14020487 - 18 Jan 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2017

Abstract

A two-way coupling particle flux model is proposed for studying the multi-component solid–fluid suspension. The suspension mixture is treated as a non-linear single-phase fluid and the migration of the solid particles is modeled by a particle flux equation. The proposed particle flux model [...] Read more.

A two-way coupling particle flux model is proposed for studying the multi-component solid–fluid suspension. The suspension mixture is treated as a non-linear single-phase fluid and the migration of the solid particles is modeled by a particle flux equation. The proposed particle flux model takes the effects of the particle migration on the transport of the suspension’s momentum and internal energy into account. Two benchmark problems are calculated to study the performance of the proposed particle flux model, i.e., flow in a sudden expansion straight channel and flow between two rotating cylinders. It is found that the particle flux model converges without numerical stability issue with the commonly used PISO-SIMPLE transient solver, and the effect of the particle migration is evident on both velocity profile and temperature distribution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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21 pages, 11121 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulations of the Flow of a Dense Suspension Exhibiting Yield-Stress and Shear-Thinning Effects

by Meng-Ge Li, Feng Feng, Wei-Tao Wu and Mehrdad Massoudi

Energies 2020, 13(24), 6635; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13246635 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2048

Abstract

Many types of dense suspensions are complex materials exhibiting both solid-like and fluid-like behavior. These suspensions are usually considered to behave as non-Newtonian fluids and the rheological characteristics such as yield stress, thixotropy and shear-thinning/thickening can have significant impact on the flow and [...] Read more.

Many types of dense suspensions are complex materials exhibiting both solid-like and fluid-like behavior. These suspensions are usually considered to behave as non-Newtonian fluids and the rheological characteristics such as yield stress, thixotropy and shear-thinning/thickening can have significant impact on the flow and the engineering applications of these materials. Therefore, it is important to understand the rheological features of these fluids. In this paper, we study the flow of a nonlinear fluid which exhibits yield stress and shear-thinning effects. The geometries of interests are a straight channel, a channel with a crevice and a pipe with a contraction; we assume the fluid behaves as a Herschel-Bulkley fluid. The numerical simulations indicate that for flows with low Reynolds number and high Bingham number an unyielded plug may form in the center of the channel. In the case of a channel with a crevice, the fluid in the deep portion of the crevice is at an extremely high level of viscosity, forming a plug which is hard to yield. For the pipe with a contraction, near the pipe neck the unyielded region is smaller due to the enhanced flow disturbance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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18 pages, 1413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fluid Mixing Nonequilibrium Processes in Industrial Piping Flows

by Mikhail Sukharev

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6364; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13236364 - 2 Dec 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1503

Abstract

The flow of a multicomponent fluid through a pipeline system of arbitrary configuration is considered. The problem consists in determining the component composition of the fluid for each pipeline of the system based on the values of the concentration of the components throughout [...] Read more.

The flow of a multicomponent fluid through a pipeline system of arbitrary configuration is considered. The problem consists in determining the component composition of the fluid for each pipeline of the system based on the values of the concentration of the components throughout the entire set of measuring points, provided that there are no phase transitions. To solve the problem, mathematical models have been developed that, in principle, are suitable for pipeline systems of various functional purposes, the presentation is concretized and carried out in relation to gas transmission systems. The models are stochastic in nature due to measurement errors, which are considered random variables. The solution of the problem is reduced to the optimization of a quadratic function with constraints in the form of equalities and inequalities. The considered mixing processes do not depend on the regime parameters of the fluid flow. The processes are irreversible and non-equilibrium. A criterion is introduced that characterizes the degree of closeness of a multicomponent mixture to an equilibrium state. The criterion is analogous to entropy in thermodynamic processes. A numerical example of calculating the distribution of a three-component mixture is given. The example illustrates the feasibility of the proposed computational procedures and gives an idea of the distribution of the component composition and the change in «entropy» along the directions of pumping of the gas supply system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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24 pages, 9976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Apparent Permeability Model for Gas Transport in Multiscale Shale Matrix Coupling Multiple Mechanisms

by Xiaoping Li, Shudong Liu, Ji Li, Xiaohua Tan, Yilong Li and Feng Wu

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6323; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13236323 - 30 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1932

Abstract

Apparent gas permeability (AGP) is a significantly important parameter for productivity prediction and reservoir simulation. However, the influence of multiscale effect and irreducible water distribution on gas transport is neglected in most of the existing AGP models, which will overestimate gas transport capacity. [...] Read more.

Apparent gas permeability (AGP) is a significantly important parameter for productivity prediction and reservoir simulation. However, the influence of multiscale effect and irreducible water distribution on gas transport is neglected in most of the existing AGP models, which will overestimate gas transport capacity. Therefore, an AGP model coupling multiple mechanisms is established to investigate gas transport in multiscale shale matrix. First, AGP models of organic matrix (ORM) and inorganic matrix (IOM) have been developed respectively, and the AGP model for shale matrix is derived by coupling AGP models for two types of matrix. Multiple effects such as real gas effect, multiscale effect, porous deformation, irreducible water saturation and gas ab-/de-sorption are considered in the proposed model. Second, sensitive analysis indicates that pore size, pressure, porous deformation and irreducible water have significant impact on AGP. Finally, effective pore size distribution (PSD) and AGP under different water saturation of Balic shale sample are obtained based on proposed AGP model. Under comprehensive impact of multiple mechanisms, AGP of shale matrix exhibits shape of approximate “V” as pressure decrease. The presence of irreducible water leads to decrease of AGP. At low water saturation, irreducible water occupies small inorganic pores preferentially, and AGP decreases with small amplitude. The proposed model considers the impact of multiple mechanisms comprehensively, which is more suitable to the actual shale reservoir. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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15 pages, 1705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Similitude Analysis of Experiment and Modelling of Immiscible Displacement Effects with Scaling and Dimensional Approach

by Andrzej Gołąbek, Wiesław Szott, Piotr Łętkowski and Jerzy Stopa

Energies 2020, 13(19), 5224; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13195224 - 7 Oct 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2261

Abstract

This paper presents the use of scaling and dimensional analysis to assess the viability of conventional modelling of immiscible displacement occurring when water is injected into the oil-saturated, porous rock—a conventional secondary oil-recovery method. A brief description of the laboratory tests of oil [...] Read more.

This paper presents the use of scaling and dimensional analysis to assess the viability of conventional modelling of immiscible displacement occurring when water is injected into the oil-saturated, porous rock—a conventional secondary oil-recovery method. A brief description of the laboratory tests of oil displacement with water performed on long core sets taken from wells operating on a Polish oil reservoir was presented. A dimensionless product generator based on dimensional analysis and Buckingham Π theorem was used to generate all possible combinatorial sets of dimensionless products for physical variables describing the phenomenon. The mathematical model of the phenomenon was transformed to its dimensionless form, using a selected set of the products. The results of the laboratory tests were analyzed as functions of the products. Statistically verified quantities describing both dependent and independent experiment variables were subject to a regression analysis to study dependencies of the experimental results upon selected dimensionless products. The degrees of the dependencies were determined and compared with the model coefficients. The conclusions are drawn for the purposes of model application to correctly describe the laboratory and, consequently, field scale processes of immiscible oil displacement by water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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17 pages, 6058 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Modelling of Horizontal Oil-Water Pipe Flow

by Thomas Höhne, Ali Rayya and Gustavo Montoya

Energies 2020, 13(19), 5042; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13195042 - 24 Sep 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3720

Abstract

The purpose of this work is modeling of a horizontal oil–water flow with and without the Algebraic Interfacial Area Density (AIAD) model. Software and hardware developments in the past years have significantly increased and improved the accuracy, flexibility, and performance of simulations for [...] Read more.

The purpose of this work is modeling of a horizontal oil–water flow with and without the Algebraic Interfacial Area Density (AIAD) model. Software and hardware developments in the past years have significantly increased and improved the accuracy, flexibility, and performance of simulations for large and complex problems typically encountered in industrial applications. At Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the focus has been concentrated on the R&D of new modeling capabilities for Euler–Euler approach where interfaces exist. In this research paper, the applicability of the AIAD model for a horizontal oil–water flow is investigated. The comparison between the standard ANSYS Fluent Eulerian Interface Capabilities (namely Multi-Fluid VOF) without AIAD and ANSYS CFX with AIAD implemented via user functions for the oil–water flow was performed. Thereafter, the obtained results were compared with existing experimental data produced by the Department of Thermodynamics and Transport Phenomena of the University Simon Bolivar (USB) in Caracas, Venezuela. The results of the simulations show that horizontal oil–water flow can be modelled with rather acceptable accuracy when using regime transition capabilities as those offered by the AIAD model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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14 pages, 6544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating Fracture Sealing by Granular LCM Particles in Geothermal Drilling

by Lu Lee and Arash Dahi Taleghani

Energies 2020, 13(18), 4878; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184878 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3305

Abstract

Lost circulation occurs when the returned fluid is less than what is pumped into the well due to loss of fluid to pores or fractures. A lost-circulation event is a common occurrence in a geothermal well. Typical geothermal reservoirs are often under-pressured and [...] Read more.

Lost circulation occurs when the returned fluid is less than what is pumped into the well due to loss of fluid to pores or fractures. A lost-circulation event is a common occurrence in a geothermal well. Typical geothermal reservoirs are often under-pressured and have larger fracture apertures. A severe lost-circulation event is costly and may lead to stuck pipe, well instability, and well abandonment. One typical treatment is adding lost-circulation materials (LCMs) to seal fractures. Conventional LCMs fail to properly seal fractures because their mechanical limit is exceeded at elevated temperatures. In this paper, parametric studies in numerical simulations are conducted to better understand different thermal effects on the sealing mechanisms of LCMs. The computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) and the discrete element method (DEM) are coupled to accurately capture the true physics of sealing by granular materials. Due to computational limits, the traditional Eulerian–Eulerian approach treats solid particles as a group of continuum matter. With the advance of modern computational power, particle bridging is achievable with DEM to track individual particles by modeling their interactive forces between each other. Particle–fluid interactions can be modeled by coupling CFD algorithms. Fracture sealing capability is investigated by studying the effect of four individual properties including fluid viscosity, particle size, friction coefficient, and Young’s modulus. It is found that thermally degraded properties lead to inefficient fracture sealing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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24 pages, 15626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling of the Long-Term Acid Gas Sequestration and Its Prediction: A Unique Case Study

by Wiesław Szott, Piotr Łętkowski, Andrzej Gołąbek and Krzysztof Miłek

Energies 2020, 13(18), 4701; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184701 - 9 Sep 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2058

Abstract

A twenty-four-year on-going project of acid gas sequestration in a deep geological structure was subject to detailed modelling based upon a large set of geological, geophysical, and petrophysical data. The model was calibrated against available operational and monitoring data and used to determine [...] Read more.

A twenty-four-year on-going project of acid gas sequestration in a deep geological structure was subject to detailed modelling based upon a large set of geological, geophysical, and petrophysical data. The model was calibrated against available operational and monitoring data and used to determine basic characteristics of the sequestration process, such as fluid saturations and compositions, their variation in time due to fluid migrations, and the gas transition between free and aqueous phases. The simulation results were analysed with respect to various gas leakage risks. The contribution of various trapping mechanisms to the total sequestrated amount of injected gas was estimated. The observation evidence of no acid gas leakage from the structure was confirmed and explained by the simulation results of the sequestration process. The constructed and calibrated model of the structure was also used to predict the capacity of the analysed structure for increased sequestration by finding the optimum scenario of the risk-free sequestration performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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21 pages, 6431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrally Embedded Discrete Fracture Model for Flow Simulation in Anisotropic Formations

by Renjie Shao, Yuan Di, Dawei Wu and Yu-Shu Wu

Energies 2020, 13(12), 3070; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13123070 - 13 Jun 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2019

Abstract

The embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM), among different flow simulation models, achieves a good balance between efficiency and accuracy. In the EDFM, micro-scale fractures that cannot be characterized individually need to be homogenized into the matrix, which may bring anisotropy into the matrix. [...] Read more.

The embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM), among different flow simulation models, achieves a good balance between efficiency and accuracy. In the EDFM, micro-scale fractures that cannot be characterized individually need to be homogenized into the matrix, which may bring anisotropy into the matrix. However, the simplified matrix–fracture fluid exchange assumption makes it difficult for EDFM to address the anisotropic flow. In this paper, an integrally embedded discrete fracture model (iEDFM) suitable for anisotropic formations is proposed. Structured mesh is employed for the anisotropic matrix, and the fracture element, which consists of a group of connected fractures, is integrally embedded in the matrix grid. An analytic pressure distribution is derived for the point source in anisotropic formation expressed by permeability tensor, and applied to the matrix–fracture transmissibility calculation. Two case studies were conducted and compared with the analytic solution or fine grid result to demonstrate the advantage and applicability of iEDFM to address anisotropic formation. In addition, a two-phase flow example with a reported dataset was studied to analyze the effect of the matrix anisotropy on the simulation result, which also showed the feasibility of iEDFM to address anisotropic formation with complex fracture networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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43 pages, 14356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient History Matching of Thermally Induced Fractures Using Coupled Geomechanics and Reservoir Simulation

by Misfer Almarri

Energies 2020, 13(11), 3001; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13113001 - 11 Jun 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2526

Abstract

Waterflooding is a common recovery method used to maintain reservoir pressure and improve reservoir oil sweep efficiency. However, injecting cold water into a reservoir alters the state of in-situ formation stress and can result in the formation fracturing. In other words, it can [...] Read more.

Waterflooding is a common recovery method used to maintain reservoir pressure and improve reservoir oil sweep efficiency. However, injecting cold water into a reservoir alters the state of in-situ formation stress and can result in the formation fracturing. In other words, it can cause the initiation and growth of thermally induced fractures (TIFs), even when the original fracture propagation pressure is not exceeded. TIFs can cause non-uniform distribution of the fluid flow in wellbores, a reduction in sweep efficiency, and early water breakthrough in nearby production wells. Modelling and history matching workflows that consider the dynamic nature of the TIF problem are critical. These workflows improve and validate reservoir and geomechanical models, identify and confirm observed TIF onset and propagation periods, and provide a history-matched sector model with the rock mechanical and thermal properties and stress gradients that can be used with confidence for subsequent studies. Modelling and the underlining assumptions of fluid flow in the TIF and reservoir matrix, as well as geomechanical changes due to cooling of the reservoir during injection, are detailed below. A 3D reservoir simulator coupled with 2D finite element TIF and geomechanical models were used to manually history match an injector (NI6) in the N Field sector reservoir model in which a TIF was observed. In this study, history matching workflows were developed to consider the dynamic nature of TIF development during waterflooding. The reservoir and geomechanical models were improved and validated via the observed TIF onset and propagation periods. The history-matched models produced can be used with confidence in subsequent studies. The practical workflows and guidelines developed here can be used in waterflooding operations during the modelling, design, and planning stages. The novelty of this study is the coupling approach of different complex processes done in order to capture dynamic changes during waterflooding operations. A similar history matching study could not be found in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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20 pages, 10722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Isothermal Treatment of Oily Waters Using Ceramic Membrane: A Numerical Investigation

by Hortência L. F. Magalhães, Gicelia Moreira, Ricardo S. Gomez, Túlio R. N. Porto, Balbina R. B. Correia, Anderson M. V. Silva, Severino R. Farias Neto and Antonio G. B. Lima

Energies 2020, 13(8), 2092; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13082092 - 22 Apr 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2231

Abstract

Currently, the oil industry deals with the challenge of produced-water proper disposal, and the membrane-separation technology appears as an important tool on the treatment of these waters. In this sense, this work developed a mathematical model for simulating the oil/water separation by a [...] Read more.

Currently, the oil industry deals with the challenge of produced-water proper disposal, and the membrane-separation technology appears as an important tool on the treatment of these waters. In this sense, this work developed a mathematical model for simulating the oil/water separation by a ceramic membrane. The aim was to investigate the thermal aspects of the separation process via computational fluid dynamic, using the Ansys CFX^® 15 software (15, Ansys, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). Oil concentration, pressure, and velocity distributions, as well as permeation velocity, are presented and analyzed. It was verified that the mathematical model was capable of accurately representing the studied phenomena and that temperature strongly influences the flow behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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13 pages, 2697 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heavy Oil Laminar Flow in Corrugated Ducts: A Numerical Study Using the Galerkin-Based Integral Method

by Valdecir Alves dos Santos Júnior, Severino Rodrigues de Farias Neto, Antonio Gilson Barbosa de Lima, Igor Fernandes Gomes, Israel Buriti Galvão, Célia Maria Rufino Franco and João Evangelista Franco do Carmo

Energies 2020, 13(6), 1363; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13061363 - 15 Mar 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2005

Abstract

Fluid flow in pipes plays an important role in different areas of academia and industry. Due to the importance of this kind of flow, several studies have involved circular cylindrical pipes. This paper aims to study fully developed internal laminar flow through a [...] Read more.

Fluid flow in pipes plays an important role in different areas of academia and industry. Due to the importance of this kind of flow, several studies have involved circular cylindrical pipes. This paper aims to study fully developed internal laminar flow through a corrugated cylindrical duct, using the Galerkin-based integral method. As an application, we present a study using heavy oil with a relative density of 0.9648 (14.6 °API) and temperature-dependent viscosities ranging from 1715 to 13000 cP. Results for different fluid dynamics parameters, such as the Fanning friction factor, Reynolds number, shear stress, and pressure gradient, are presented and analyzed based on the corrugation number established for each section and aspect ratio of the pipe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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Review

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34 pages, 13036 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress and Prospects of Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump Capability for Handling Gas–Liquid Multiphase Flow: Comparison and Empirical Model Validation

by Asad Ali, Jianping Yuan, Fanjie Deng, Biaobiao Wang, Liangliang Liu, Qiaorui Si and Noman Ali Buttar

Energies 2021, 14(4), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14040896 - 9 Feb 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4278

Abstract

The working capability of multi-stage pumps, such as electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) handling multiphase flow, has always been a big challenge for petroleum industries. The major problem is associated with the agglomeration of gas bubbles inside ESP-impellers, causing pump performance degradation ranging from [...] Read more.

The working capability of multi-stage pumps, such as electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) handling multiphase flow, has always been a big challenge for petroleum industries. The major problem is associated with the agglomeration of gas bubbles inside ESP-impellers, causing pump performance degradation ranging from mild to severe deterioration (surging/gas pockets). Previous literature showed that the two-phase performance of ESPs is greatly affected by gas involvement, rotational speed, bubble size, and fluid viscosity. Thus, it is necessary to understand which parameter is actually accountable for performance degradation and different flow patterns in ESP, and how it can be controlled. The present study is mainly focused on (1) the main parameters that impede two-phase performance of different ESPs; (2) comparison of existing empirical models (established for two-phase performance prediction and surging initiation) with our single-stage centrifugal pump results to determine their validity and working-range; (3) gas-handling techniques applied to enhance the multiphase performance of ESPs. Firstly, it aims at understanding the internal flow mechanism in different ESP designs, followed by test studies based on empirical models, visualization techniques, bubble-size measurements, and viscosity analysis. The CFD-based (computational fluid dynamics) numerical analysis concerning multiphase flow is described as well. Furthermore, gas-handling design methods are discussed that are helpful in developing the petroleum industry by enhancing the multiphase performance of ESPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Petroleum Industries and Geothermal Applications 2020)

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