Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Wellbore

Abstract

Accurate heat transfer modelling can contribute significantly in that realm. Earth temperature generally increases with depth. Thus, as the hot fluid from bottom hole rises up the wellbore, its temperature is higher than the surrounding Earth temperature which causes it to lose heat to the surroundings. When the flow rate of the fluid increases, more of the hotter fluid from the bottom displaces the colder fluid in the wellbore at any given point and therefore the temperature increases. ANSYS Fluent was used to simulate the fluid flow and heat transfer in wellbore of crude oil flowing upward in the tubing and gas (air) injected through holes to increase the wellbore production. Results show that the crude oil velocity seems to be decreased downstream throughout the tubing. The pressure seems to be reduced throughout the tubing because of losses cause the friction between crude oil and the tubing wall. Eddy viscosity of crude oil be larger at the entering and fluctuated between decrease and increase throughout the tubing. Turbulent eddy dissipation be large only at the entering (bottom) and gradually reduced along the tubing till it minimum value at the exit (top). The turbulent kinetic energy be larger be larger at the entering (bottom) and minimized throughout the tubing till it be in a lower value at the exit (top). Crude oil temperature was decreased along the tubing centerline and the minimum value at the tubing exit (top). The heat transfer coefficient value be minimum at the entering and increased suddenly through the (0.1) of the total tubing length.