Numerical study of temperature and pressure effects of a yield-power law fluid flow on frictional pressure losses for laminar and turbulent regimes

Abstract

The effective determination of pressure losses depends on accurate knowledge of the drilling fluid rheology. As the fluid circulates deeper around the wellbore, its rheological behavior undergoes significant alterations due to the variations in downhole conditions encountered. The present study investigates the effects of the rheological properties of Yield-power law fluid at various pressures and temperatures on annular pressure losses and velocity profiles. Simulations were performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics to examine the fluid flow in turbulent and laminar regimes. Comparison between numerical, experimental and slot approximation model results showed a good agreement. Results indicated that pressure losses have reduced in both regimes with increasing temperature, at a constant pressure. However the pressure has the opposite effect at a constant temperature. For a drilling fluid flow velocity of 1 m/s, the elevation of temperature from 25 °C to 90 °C, decreases the pressure drop gradient by (31% to 48%) at low and high- pressure conditions respectively. Whereas, the influence of increasing pressure on pressure losses is more apparent at 25 °C. Earlier transition from laminar to turbulent is observed with temperature rise. Therefore, the temperature effect on pressure losses in the turbulent region; is shown for different Generalized Reynolds numbers