Transient characterization of hydrate transport in natural gas pipelines

Accurate modeling of hydrate transportation in natural gas pipelines is becoming increasingly important in the design and operation of offshore production facilities. The dynamics involved in the formation of hydrate particles and in its transportation are governed by the multiphase hydrodynamics equations ensuing from the balance of mass, momentum and energy. In this study, a two-fluid model is solved to characterize particulate transportation. The numerical algorithm employed is stable and robust and it is based on higher-order schemes. This is necessary since the governing equations describing the simultaneous flow of gas and solid particles are hyperbolic and, thus, admit discontinuities. Specialized higher-order schemes provide a viable approach for efficient frontal tracking of continuity waves in particular. Several simulation experiments that can facilitate thorough understanding of the design and maintenance of pipelines susceptible to hydrate formation are presented.