Numerical model of hydrate slurry flow in pipeline

Considering the physical properties of hydrate slurry like inter-phase interactions, particle size distribution, solids viscosity, and maximum packing fraction, a numerical model based on Euler-Euler two-fluid model is built to describe the hydrate slurry flow in pipelines, and the particle size and resistance characteristics of hydrate slurry are also analyzed. The results show that the Camargo model, taking hydrodynamic interaction of aggregates into account, provides simulated value more close to experimental value, suggesting its higher accuracy than the Mulhe model. The granular kinetic model can accurately characaterize the inter-particle shear in case of turbulent flow of hydrate slurry, but works with large errors in case of laminar flow of hydrate slurry. In contrast, the viscosity model based on the Brinkman and Ostwald equations, which has a coupling relationship with hydrate volume fraction and shear rate, can excellently predict the resistance characteristics in case of laminar/turbulent flow of hydrate slurry. The numerical model proposed in this study can provide a support to flow assurance and engineering application of hydrate slurry.