Authors:
V. G. Poletto, F. C. De Lai, M. V. D. Ferreira, A. L. Martins, S. L. M. Junqueira
Abstract:
This work provides a preliminary study of solids adherence on the surfaces of a sliding-sleeve valve (SSV), aiming to mimic the inorganic scaling process. SSVs assembled in production sites subjected to water flooding might suffer from scale deposits of barium sulfate. Scaling may result in production stops, production restriction, and also heavy workover jobs, reducing project profitability.
The simulation of the scaling formation process allows the observation of fouling hotspots and, shortly, it can become a powerful tool to increase the valve’s reliability in scaling-prone scenarios. In the present problem, a four-way coupled CFD-DEM technique simulates the liquid-solid two-phase flow considering the solids particles as precipitated of barium sulfate crystals.
Keywords:
scale formation, SSV valves, CFD-DEM coupling, numerical simulation