Experimental and theoretical modeling of droplet break-up of W/O emulsion flow in ESPs

Author(s)

Leuchtenberger, Roberto Fernando ; Biazussi, Jorge Luiz ; Bannwart, Antonio Carlos

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN; v. 210, p. 11-pg., 2024-09-28.

Abstract

The behavior of water-in-oil emulsions flow within Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) is of significant interest in the oil and gas industry due to its complex rheological characteristics, which are influenced by operational parameters and the chemical properties of both phases. Operational parameters such as dispersed phase fraction, temperature, flow rate, and pump design were investigated experimentally in this work. Improved semiempirical models for mean and maximum droplet diameter estimation were also proposed. Through extensive experimentation and statistical analysis, this study reveals that smaller droplets form with increasing dispersed phase fraction and the flow geometry significantly affects droplet breakage intensity. The proposed models integrate the dispersed phase fraction, dimensionless flow rate, specific speed, and energy dissipation rate, exhibiting commendable alignment with experimental findings. This not only helps predict effective viscosity but offers valuable insights for further analyses, particularly regarding catastrophic phase inversion (CPI) prediction. These aspects have significant importance in the oil and gas industry and can enable the optimization of production systems and processing facilities. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/20767-0 - Multi-User Equipment approved in grant 2017/15736-3: FBRM - Focused Beam Reflectance
• Grantee: Marcelo Souza de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• 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