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Richard Marquez (Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Engineering)
Modeling Downhole Natural Separation
Directed by Dr. Mauricio Prado
(176 words)

This work presents three approaches for determining down hole natural separation efficiency.

The first approach is based on a one-cell simplified model that uses macroscopic versions of the drift flux two-phase flow model equations. Closure of the model is obtained through gas-liquid slip correlations for both the vertical and radial directions. The vertical closure equation is a well-known relationship used for vertical flow in pipes. The radial slip correlation is obtained based on available experimental data.

This second approach is based on a mechanistic model for the liquid flow field. A certain geometry for the liquid streamlines is assumed and the liquid velocities and pressure field is determined. Extension to two-phase flow conditions is obtained by tracking the trajectories of individual gas bubbles into this flow domain. Closure equations for bubble characteristic sizes were obtained based on available experimental data.

The third approach is based on a new technique for solving the two-dimensional governing equations of the two-phase drift flux model. Closure equations for the interface characteristic length are obtained based on the available experimental data.

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Last updated September 04, 2012