Discrete Multi-physics modeling of hydrate blockage in pipelines

ended

Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds where a cage-like water structure surrounds an organic molecule such as methane. They often form in oil and gas pipelines, where they stick to the inner walls clogging the flow. When this happens, the blocked section of pipe needs to be cut out and replaced, resulting in long shutdowns of production. The oil and gas industry spends more than 200 million euros per year to prevent such blockages and industry sources estimate the total costs for prevention and lost production due to hydrates in the order of billions. Available commercial software packages generally only focus on the thermodynamics of hydrate formation, but recent scientific literature emphasizes the interconnected role of thermodynamics with heat transfer and hydrodynamics. To better understand this phenomenon and to devise techniques to control/minimize its effects, we aim to adapt a novel multi-physics methodology called Discrete Multi-physics and derive from it computational tools to study and predict hydrate blockage. Based on Discrete Multi-physics, we will set up a mathematical model that links thermodynamics, heat transfer and hydrodynamics and generate an Open Source software freely available to other academics and practitioners.