Experiments and modelling for by-pass pigging of pipelines

Maurice Hendrix

Research output: ThesisDissertation (TU Delft)

1325 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

(Pipeline Inspection Gauge), which is a cylindrical device that just fits the pipe and propagates through the pipe along with the transport of fluids. While a conventional pig completely seals the pipeline and travels with the same velocity as the production fluids, a by-pass pig has an opening which allows the fluids to partially by-pass the pig. The purpose of the present study is to get a better understanding of the physics of the pigging of a pipeline with multiphase flow transport. The focus is on pigs with by-pass. An important factor in determining the ultimate travel velocity of a by-pass pig is the pressure drop over the by-pass pig, which is characterized by a pressure loss coefficient. We investigate the pressure loss coefficient of three frequently used by-pass pig geometries in a single phase pipeline with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). We present a building block approach for systematic modelling of the pressure loss through the by-pass pigs, which takes the geometry and size of the by-pass opening into account. The CFD results are used to validate the simple building block approach for systematic modelling of the pressure loss through a by-pass pig. It is shown that the models for the pressure loss closely resemble the CFD results for each of the three pig geometries.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Delft University of Technology
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Henkes, R.A.W.M., Supervisor
  • Breugem, W.P., Supervisor
Thesis sponsors
Award date31 Jan 2020
Print ISBNs978-94-64020-56-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Experiments and modelling for by-pass pigging of pipelines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this