Suppose there is a leak in a crude oil pipeline, after which the inlet valve of the line will be closed. However, depending on the length of the pipeline, it may take some time for the current in the ruptured section of the pipeline to be completely cut off. I am trying to calculate the flow rate change at the rupture location of the pipeline. (in my case pipe line length from leak to valve in about 25 km)
Different sources such as "OCS Study MMS 2002 - 033" have presented different equations to calculate the amount of leakage, but the results obtained from these equations in the best conditions calculate the amount of leakage after closing the valve equal to half the volume of the pipeline. It should be noted that none of these equations take into account the slope of the pipeline, which is also based on the events that have been recorded. It should be much less than half the volume of the pipeline. Does anyone have more information on how to accurately calculate the amount of leakage? It should also be noted that due to the very long length of the pipeline, it seems impossible to use CFD model. (I tried fluent)?
Thanks
Hello.
Although the equations you mention can help outline the approximate extreme leakage, the scenario you have laid out is quite complex and depends on many factors such as: the pipe diameter, length and slope of the flowline, as well as the initial flowrate (velocity and momentum of the fluid), fluid PVT and ambient conditions (temperature and pressure of the system outside of the pipe compared to inside).
You are correct that CFD software is not designed for this type of analysis, in industry I would recommend a transient pipeline flow simulation software such as OLGA or Ledaflow.
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