2 replies to this topic

[hakoneid]

Hi all.

I want to make a model that describes the pressure drop across a hydrate plug that is transported in a pipeline. The hydrate plug is porous, and I figured that a bypass pigging model might be adapted to fit the properties of a hydrate plug. An important issue is to find a suitable friction factor between the pig and the pipe wall. Does anybody know of some good literature on the subject?

Thanks.

Regards

Hakoneid

[ankur2061]

Hakoneid,

Pipeline pigs are generally used for cleaning (de-scaling, de-waxing etc.) and pipeline integrity check during pipeline maintenance turnovers. Your query about "friction factor between the pig and the pipeline wall" doesn't make sense to me. What are you trying to achieve with this information?

Are you trying to break the hydrate plug during normal operation of the pipeline using a pig? I don't think that would be a good idea.

Solid Hydrates formation is an undesirable entity in any pipleine and steps are required to be taken to prevent their formation and growth in the pipeline. A very nice paper on hydrate formation and steps to prevent it as well as to remove them is available at the link below:

http://www.pm-pipeli...ppl0311/t24.pdf

Regards,
Ankur.

[hakoneid]

Ankur,

thanks for the reply and the link.

I am thinking of the transportation of hydrate "plug" that has been stuck to the pipe wall (and loosened), or a hydrate "plug" that has not stuck to the pipe wall yet. I figured that there is a resisting force from the pipe wall on the moving "plug" as there is on a pig moving through the pipeline. And since the plug is porous it could be compared to a pig with a bypass hole. I am interested in a steady-state situation where the pressure has build up behind the plug and is pushing it through the pipeline.

It is for a project I am doing on hydrates.

Regards

Hakoneid

Edited by hakoneid, 29 February 2012 - 09:32 AM.