Transporte de petróleo em duto flexível submerso.

Abstract

Monophase fluid flow in irregular pipe has been used in several industrial applications as transport of petroleum, environmental refrigeration, irrigation, among others. However, many studies consider flow in regular pipe neglecteding the diffusion terms in the governing equations. This procedure facilitates the analytical solution of the problem, generating results physically inconsistent. For contribute in this area of research, this work presents a study of the monophase flow in irregular pipe including heat transfer, considering all the diffusion terms in the conservation equations. The governing equations written in the boundary fitted coordinates system are resolved using the finite volume method using an arrangement of variables colocated, the UDS scheme as interpolation function to the terms convective, and the method SIMPLEC for the junction pressure-velocity. As application, the methodology was used to predict the oil flow in flexible pipe of circular cross section submerged. All the simulations were accomplished using the computacional code CFX® 3D. Numerical results of the velocity, pressure and temperature distribution along of the pipe are presented and analyzed. The pressure, velocity and temperature fields obtained represent with good accuracy the oil flowing inside the pipe. Starting from the temperature profile was carried out an evaluation of the zones of paraffin precipitation along the pipe. The study of the distribution of velocity, pressure and temperature of the oil, inside the pipe will allow to increase the operational reliability and the useful life of the pipe grid, foreseeing the existence of leaks, obstruction of the oil flux and minimizing the operational costs.