Hydrodynamic oscillations of non-newtonian fluids in u-tube

Abstract

In this thesis, a five meter high flow rig has been constructed in the form of a U-tube. Several experiments were conducted in order to investigate rheological parameters in an oscillating flow with the intention of gaining knowledge of how these parameters are transferred from a small scale lab test into a large scale drilling scenario. Analysis techniques included pressure recordings, high speed video and PIV. Parameters for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids were investigated. These experiments are relevant for large scale flows in pipes in process industries as well as for drilling scenarios both onshore and offshore. A numerical simulator was made by the use of Matlab in order to mathematically simulate the flow behavior in the system. This was done to bridge the gap between theory and the performed experiments. In the end, the complexity of the system with all its uncertain- and unknown parameters proved to be too much for the simulator and it was unable to yield accurate predictions of the flow behavior.