A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Liquid–Solid Nano-fluid Flow in Horizontal Pipe

A regular phenomenon in the petroleum industry is the challenges being faced with a multiphase flow system. Recovering only the oil often results in static pressure losses which often leads to a multiphase mixture being pumped to a separation or processing terminal. The rate of micellar aggregates breakup of surfactants is usually faster when compared to their rate of formation. Polymers of high molecular weights are capable of reducing drag even at minute concentrations degrades under shear stress and at high temperatures, this mechanical degradation could be improved upon with the combination of these duos, thereby making use of the physicochemical interactions between polymers molecules and surfactants micellar aggregates, In this study, ionic polymers such as polyacrylic acid (PAA), Tween 20 (non-ionic surfactant) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) particle were tested individually and the complexes examined in the pipeline at varied concentrations. A drag reduction of about 50% was obtained with 1000 ppm of polymer, 300 ppm of the surfactant and 500 ppm of the nanofluid CNT. An increase in concentration with increased Torque was also observed regardless of the sample tested. It was realized that these combinations could be a better drag reduction method as results were obtained and analyzed by comparing the individual performances of these substances, with the complexes where the complexes have a better performance, and this could be as a result of the critical role played by the complex mixtures. The effect of the various additives was simulated using computational fluid dynamics.