A novel criterion based on slip ratio to assess the flow behavior of W/O emulsions within centrifugal pumps

Author(s)

Vieira Bulgarelli, Natan Augusto ^[1] ; Biazussi, Jorge Luiz ^[2] ; Verde, William Monte ^[2] ; Perles, Carlos Eduardo ^[2] ; de Castro, Marcelo Souza ^[1] ; Bannwart, Antonio Carlos ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Mech Engn, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Ctr Petr Studies, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemical Engineering Science; v. 247, JAN 16 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Water-in-oil emulsions usually present complex rheological behavior that depends on the physicochem-ical properties of both phases, the presence of surfactants, and the flow conditions. Thereby, this paper aims to propose a criterion to characterize the rheological behavior of stable and unstable water-in-oil emulsions within the centrifugal pumps. This criterion is based on the slip ratio between the dispersed and continuous phases. For this, the droplet size distribution was measured at the ESP outlet and the slip ratio was estimated based on the centrifugal buoyancy-induced flow. A new model was proposed to determine the Sauter mean diameter for different systems of the water-in-oil emulsion flows within the ESP based on operational conditions, which presents good agreement with the experimental data (12.6% of error). Finally, a new dimensionless number parameter named Slip Relevance number was pro-posed to separate the different emulsion flow behaviors within the ESP and its critical value was obtained. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/15736-3 - Engineering Research Centre in Reservoir and Production Management
• Grantee: Denis José Schiozer
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program