Drilling Engineering

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Drilling Engineering PE 311

Turbulent Flow in Pipes and Annuli
Drilling Engineering
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When attempting to quantify the pressure losses in side the drillstring and in the annulus it is
worth considering the following matrix:

Frictional Pressure Drop in Pipes and Annuli
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Laminar Flow: In this type of flow, layers of fluid move in streamlines. There is no microscopic or
macroscopic intermixing of the layers. Laminar flow systems are generally represented
graphically by streamlines.
Turbulent Flow: In turbulent flow, there is an irregular random movement of fluid in transverse
direction to the main flow. This irregular, fluctuating motion can be regarded as superimposed on
the mean motion of the fluid.

Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Introduction
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Reynolds number, Re, is a dimensionless number that gives a measure of the ratio of inertial
forces to viscous forces. Reynolds number is used to characterize different flow regimes, such as
laminar or turbulent flow. Laminar occurs at low Reynolds number, where viscous forces are
dominant, and is characterized by smooth, constant fluid motion; turbulent flow occurs at high
Reynolds number and is dominated by inertial forces, which tend to produce chaotic eddies,
vortices and other flow instabilities.
For pipe
In field unit:

Definition of Reynolds Number

d u
_
Re =

d u
_
928
Re =
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
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If Re < 2,100 Laminar flow
Re = 2,100 4,000 Transition flow
Re > 4,000 Turbulent
Note that this critical Reynolds number is correct only for Newtonian fluids

Determination of Laminar/Turbulent Flow
cp. fluid, of viscosity
in I.D., pipe
ft/s velocity, fluid avg.
lbm/gal density, fluid where
928
Re
=
=
=
=

d
u

d u
_
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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Relationship between shear stress and friction factor:
Pipe flow under laminar conditions:
Therefore,
Newtonian fluids flow in pipe under laminar flow conditions:
Hence,
This equation will be used to calculate the friction factor of Newtonian fluids flow in pipe under
laminar flow conditions.


Determination of Friction Factor - Laminar Flow
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
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For turbulent flow, the friction factor can be calculated by using Colebrook correlation.


Where c is the absolute roughness. c/d is the relative roughness.
For smooth pipe, the relative roughness c/d < 0.0004, the following equations can be used to
calculate the friction factor in turbulent flow
Re = 2,100 100,000:

Blasius approximation:
Re = 2,100 100,000:




|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
f N
d
f
Re
255 . 1
/ 269 . 0 log 4
1
c
Determination of Friction Factor - Turbulent Flow
( ) 395 . 0 log 4
1
Re
= f N
f
25 . 0
Re
0791 . 0
N
f =
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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Determination of Friction Factor
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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Determination of Friction Factor
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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From equation: , an equation of dp/dL can be expressed as
In field unit: . This equation can be used to calculate the frictional pressure drop
gradient for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.
Combining this equation and the Blasius approximation gives


Note that the Moody friction factor is four times higher than the Fanning friction factor.



Determination of the Frictional Pressure Loss
25 . 0
2
928
8 . 25
0791 . 0
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

d v
d
u
dL
dp
75 . 4
25 . 0 75 . 1 75 . 0
25 . 0
25 . 0 75 . 1 75 . 0
8624 1800 d
q
d
u
dL
dp
= =
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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Example: Determine the frictional pressure drop in 10000ft of 4.5-in commercial steel drillpipe
having an internal diameter of 3.826in. If a 20 cp Newtonian fluid having a density of 9 lbm/gal is
pumped through the drillpipe at a rate of 400 gal/min
Solution:
Mean velocity:

Reynolds number:
Since Re > 2,100, the flow is under turbulent flow conditions.






Example
s ft
d
q
u / 16 . 11
826 . 3 * 488 . 2
400
488 . 2
2 2
= = =
17831
20
826 . 3 * 16 . 11 * 9 * 928
928
Re = = =

d u
_
Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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From table 4.5, the absolute roughness for commercial steel pipe is c = 0.000013 inches.
The relative roughness c/d = 0.000013/3.826 = 0.0000034 < 0.0004 --> smooth pipe


Solve this equation for the Fanning friction factor: f = 0.00666
Thus the frictional pressure loss can be obtained by
Example
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
f N
d
f
re
255 . 1
/ 269 . 0 log 4
1
c
psi D
d
v f
D
dL
dp
p
f
756 10000 *
826 . 3 * 8 . 25
16 . 11 * 9 * 00666 . 0
8 . 25
2
2
= = = = A

Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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Using Blasius approximation ,the equation becomes





Pressure drop: DP = dp/dL x D = (0.0777)(10,000) = 777 psi
Example
25 . 0
Re
0791 . 0
N
f =
25 . 0
2
928
8 . 25
0791 . 0
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

d v
d
v
dL
dp
ft psi
d
v
dL
dp
/ 0777 . 0
1800
25 . 0
25 . 0
75 . 1
75 . 0
= =

Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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Using Blasius approximation ,the equation becomes





Pressure drop: DP = dp/dL x D = (0.0777)(10,000) = 777 psi
Example
25 . 0
Re
0791 . 0
N
f =
25 . 0
2
928
8 . 25
0791 . 0
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

d v
d
v
dL
dp
ft psi
d
v
dL
dp
/ 0777 . 0
1800
25 . 0
25 . 0
75 . 1
75 . 0
= =

Turbulent Flow in Pipes Newtonian Fluids
Drilling Engineering
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Hydraulic diameter is defined as:




Equivalent diameter by using hydraulic diameter method:








Equivalent Diameter for Annular Geometry Hydraulic Diameter Method
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli NonNewtonian Fluids
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From the momentum equation, frictional pressure drop for Newtonian fluid in the annulus is


For pipe flow, d
1
--> 0 then

Comparing these two equations, the equivalent diameter an annulus can be obtained












Equivalent Diameter for Annular Geometry From Momentum Equation
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
(
(
(

+
=
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
ln
500 , 1
d
d
d d
d d
u
dL
dp
f

2
500 , 1 d
u
dL
dp
f

=
( )
1
2
ln
2
1
2
2 2
1
2
2
d
d
e
d d
d d d

+ =
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From the narrow slot approximation, frictional pressure drop for Newtonian fluid in the annulus is

For pipe flow

Comparing these two equations, the equivalent diameter an annulus can be obtained












Equivalent Diameter for Annular Geometry Narrow Slot Approximation
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
2
500 , 1 d
u
dL
dp
f

=
( )
1 2
816 . 0 d d d
e
=
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A fourth expression for the equivalent diameter of an annulus was developed by Crittendon.


When using Crittendon correlation, a fictitious average velocity also must be used in describing
the flow system.













Equivalent Diameter for Annular Geometry Crittendon Correlation
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
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1. Obtain apparent viscosity by combining the frictional pressure loss in
pipe (or annulus) for both Newtonian and Bingham Plastic models




2. Use apparent viscosity to determine Reynolds Number

Bingham Plastic Model
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
d d
v
d
v
y p
a
225 1500 1500
2 2
t

+ =
) (
66 . 6
Pipe
v
d
y
p a
t
+ =
) (
) ( 5
1 2
Annulus
v
d d
y
p a

+ =
t

or
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Another way to determine the flow regime (critical Reynolds number) is to use the Hedstrom number


In field unit












Bingham Plastic Model
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
2
2
p
y
HE
d
N

t
=
2
2
37100
p
y
HE
d
N

t
=
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Bingham Plastic Model
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
Turbulent
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Apparent Viscosity for use in the Reynolds Number is obtained by comparing the laminar flow
equations for Newtonian and Power Law fluids
Pipe flow:



Annular flow:











Power Law Model
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
n
n
n
a
n
d
v K
d
v
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
+
0416 . 0
/ 1 3
144000 1500
) 1 ( 2

) (
0416 . 0
/ 1 3
96
) 1 (
) 1 (
Pipe
n
v
Kd
n
n
n
a
|
.
|

\
|
+
=

n
n
n
a
n
d d
v K
d d
v
|
.
|

\
| +

+
0208 . 0
/ 1 2
) ( 144000 ) ( 1000
) 1 (
1 2
2
1 2

) (
0208 . 0
/ 1 2
144
) (
) 1 (
) 1 (
1 2
Annulus
n
v
d d K
n
n
n
a
|
.
|

\
| +
=

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Reynolds number for power law fluids in pipe:

Reynolds number for power law fluids In annulus:

Friction factor for power law fluids under turbulent flow conditions



Power Law Model
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
n
n
n
d
K
v
N |
.
|

\
|
+
=

/ 1 3
0416 . 0 89100
) 2 (
Re

n
n
n
d d
K
v
N |
.
|

\
|
+

=

/ 1 2
) ( 0208 . 0 109000
1 2
) 2 (
Re

2 . 1
2 / 1
Re
75 . 0
395 . 0
) log(
0 . 4
/ 1
n
f N
n
f
n
=

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Power Law Model
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
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Summary
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Summary
Newtonian Model Bingham Plastic Model Power Law Model
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Summary
Newtonian Model Bingham Plastic Model Power Law Model
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Summary
Newtonian Model Bingham Plastic Model Power Law Model
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Example Newtonian Fluid in Annulus
Example 1: A 9.0 lbm/gal brine having a viscosity of 1.0 cp is being circulated in a well at a rate
of 200 gal/min. Apply the all the criteria for computing equivalent diameter. Determine the flow
pattern and frictional pressure gradient. The drillpipe has an external diameter of 5.0 in. and the
hole has a diameter of 10 in.
Solution:
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Example Newtonian Fluid in Annulus
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Example Newtonian Fluid in Annulus
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Example Newtonian Fluid in Annulus
Note that the Crittendon correlation is applied for the fourth method. In this
method, we need to calculate the equivalent diameter based on Crittendon
correlation and the fictitious average velocity.
Hydraulic Method
Momentum Mothod
Narrow Slot Method
Crittendon Method
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Example BHF - Annulus
Example 2: A 10 lbm/gal mud having a plastic viscosity of 40 cp and a yield point of 15 lbf/100ft
2

is circulated at a rate of 600 gal/min. Estimate the frictional pressure loss in the annulus opposite
the drill collars if the drill collars are in a 6.5-in hole, have a length of 1,000 ft, and a 4.5 in. OD.
Check for turbulence using both the apparent viscosity concept and the Hedstrom number
approach. Use an narrow slot equivalent diameter to represent the annular geometry.
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Example BHF - Annulus






Equivalent diameter using narrow slot approximation

Reynolds number based on apparent viscosity

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Example BHF - Annulus





Reynolds number for a plastic viscosity of 40 cp


Using the graph for Hedstrom number, the critical Reynolds number is 3,300. The flow is turbulent
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Example BHF - Annulus
Using Blasius approximation with Re = 3,154, the friction factor is f = 0.0098
Frictional pressure loss is given:

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Example BHF - Annulus
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Example PL - Annulus
Example 3: A 15.6 lbm/gal cement slurry having a consistency index of 335 eq cp and a flow
behavior index of 0.67 is being pumped at a rate of 672 gal/min between a 9.625-in. hole and a
7.0-in.casing. Determine the frictional pressure loss per 100 ft of slurry. Use the equivalent
diameter based on the narrow slot approximation.
Solution:
The mean velocity:

Reynolds number:

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Power Law Model
Turbulent Flow in Pipes/Annuli nonNewtonian Fluids
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Example PL - Annulus