ABSTRACT

Within the oil refinery industry, there are several flow processes which involve settling suspensions. Velocity profile models for multiphase flow with partially settling particles require correlations relating viscosity as a function of particle concentration. The parameters of such correlations can only be determined experimentally. However, under partial settling conditions, a particle distribution forms within the rheometer established by a balance between gravitational particle settling and shear induced migration of the particles. Considering the large particle sizes and the low interparticle forces, viscosity data from the rheometer will show anomalous behavior since the homogenous assumption is not met when making viscosity measurements. If the rheological parameters are interpreted through a model that accounts for the particle settling dependence upon shear rate, particle size and other physical properties, a more realistic viscosity description may be obtained.

Keywords:
upstream oil & gas, agreement, viscosity, viscosity measurement, concentration, dispersion viscosity, particle, shear rate, particle distribution, experiment
Subjects:
Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Flow Assurance, Production logging, Hydrates
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2010. BHR Group 2010 Multiphase 7
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