Particle deposition in natural gas pipelines using computational fluid dynamics modelling

ABSTRACT Solid particles within natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline systems are known to create varying operational constraints for pipeline operators—from temporary to complete stoppage of the gas flow. The solid particles can be extremely variable, both in composition and origin. The particles can consist of discrete elements or mechanically and chemically driven combinations of soils, iron oxides, iron sulfides, sulfur compounds, salts, metal oxides, hydrocarbons and other contaminants. These particles tend to get deposited along the walls of gas pipelines under different circumstances. The flow dynamics and the turbulence associated with the flow play an important role in the complex mechanism of particle deposition. In this work, we have shown how turbulence acts as a dominant mechanism in influencing particle deposition. A ball valve's downstream flow was simulated for various opening positions and varying inlet Reynolds numbers to understand turbulence and its effect on particle deposition. The percentage of number of particles getting deposited at the downstream increased on decreasing the valve opening, whereas it was not greatly affected by the change in the inlet Reynolds number. The particle deposition sites at downstream were governed indirectly by valve opening percentage. © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.