Experiments, Computational Fluid Dynamics and 1D Models of flushing oil with Water in Various 2-inch Pipes Available to Purchase

Flushing experiments with water were performed on a 56 mm oil-filled pipe. Using mass flow meters, the amount of oil displaced can be determined as function of the water introduced. Three different geometries, different pipe inclinations and water flow rates were considered. Higher water flow rates lead to better flushing and downward sloping sections are harder to flush. 3D CFD results with the (inaccurate) assumption of laminar flow match the experimental data within the accuracy of the measurements. The 1D simulator OLGA normally underpredicts the amount of oil that is flushed out. The experimental validation shows that the models are sufficiently accurate to make operational flushing decisions.