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Our research focuses on the flow assurance issues that impair efficient hydrocarbon (oil, gas, CO2, and H2) transportation. We tackle these complex problems via a multiscale approach, which combines various experimental and advanced computational techniques at microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic scales. The overall goals of our research include elucidating the fundamental physics of these flow assurance issues and developing versatile models to guide industrial practices.
Our research focuses on the flow assurance issues that impair efficient hydrocarbon (oil, gas, CO2, and H2) transportation. We tackle these complex problems via a multiscale approach, which combines various experimental and advanced computational techniques at microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic scales. The overall goals of our research include elucidating the fundamental physics of these flow assurance issues and developing versatile models to guide industrial practices.
Paraffin Deposition on Non-Steel Surfaces
Paraffin Deposition on Non-Steel Surfaces
Paraffins or waxes refer to n-alkanes of carbon numbers larger than 20. The crude oils and gas condensates produced in many operating fields worldwide contain waxes. When waxy crude flows through subsea pipelines or flowlines, its temperature drops due to heat loss to the surroundings, which can cause the dissolved wax to precipitate and deposit on the pipeline wall. Over time, the wax deposit will increase in thickness, decreasing the effective diameter of the pipeline, or in extreme cases blocking the pipeline.
Paraffins or waxes refer to n-alkanes of carbon numbers larger than 20. The crude oils and gas condensates produced in many operating fields worldwide contain waxes. When waxy crude flows through subsea pipelines or flowlines, its temperature drops due to heat loss to the surroundings, which can cause the dissolved wax to precipitate and deposit on the pipeline wall. Over time, the wax deposit will increase in thickness, decreasing the effective diameter of the pipeline, or in extreme cases blocking the pipeline.
Non-steel pipes such as reinforced thermoplastic pipe are being more widely used in gathering and transporting oil and gas due to their low-cost and anti-corrosion properties. Almost all existing literature studies wax deposition on pristine steel surfaces, and it remains elusive whether existing models and remediation techniques are still applicable for wax deposition on non-steel surface.
Non-steel pipes such as reinforced thermoplastic pipe are being more widely used in gathering and transporting oil and gas due to their low-cost and anti-corrosion properties. Almost all existing literature studies wax deposition on pristine steel surfaces, and it remains elusive whether existing models and remediation techniques are still applicable for wax deposition on non-steel surface.
In this research, both experimental and simulation approaches are employed to investigate wax deposition on non-steel surfaces. We develop numerical models to simulate wax deposition and measures the adhesive forces between wax deposit and various types of surfaces.
In this research, both experimental and simulation approaches are employed to investigate wax deposition on non-steel surfaces. We develop numerical models to simulate wax deposition and measures the adhesive forces between wax deposit and various types of surfaces.
Efficient CO2 Pipeline Transportation for CCUS
Efficient CO2 Pipeline Transportation for CCUS
CCUS technology holds tremendous potentials for reducing the global emission of CO2. In order for CCUS to economically attain its full scale, the large quantity of captured CO2 must be cost-effectively transported from the capture sites to the storage/utilization sites by pipeline networks. Even though CO2 pipeline transmission has been practiced for decades, the experiences are primarily based on onshore transportation of high-purity CO2 from natural geological sources for EOR purposes. The gas mixtures from CO2 capture sites (i.e., anthropogenic CO2), however, contain various types of impurities at wide concentration ranges (e.g., N2, O2, SOx, H2S, NOx, CO, H2, CH4, and H2O). These impurities, even in small quantities, may significantly alter the thermophysical properties of CO2 mixtures and their transport behaviors. The flow features of anthropogenic CO2 in CCUS transportation systems, however, remain largely unknown, and reliable flow models are still lacking
CCUS technology holds tremendous potentials for reducing the global emission of CO2. In order for CCUS to economically attain its full scale, the large quantity of captured CO2 must be cost-effectively transported from the capture sites to the storage/utilization sites by pipeline networks. Even though CO2 pipeline transmission has been practiced for decades, the experiences are primarily based on onshore transportation of high-purity CO2 from natural geological sources for EOR purposes. The gas mixtures from CO2 capture sites (i.e., anthropogenic CO2), however, contain various types of impurities at wide concentration ranges (e.g., N2, O2, SOx, H2S, NOx, CO, H2, CH4, and H2O). These impurities, even in small quantities, may significantly alter the thermophysical properties of CO2 mixtures and their transport behaviors. The flow features of anthropogenic CO2 in CCUS transportation systems, however, remain largely unknown, and reliable flow models are still lacking
In this research, we systematically investigate the flow behaviors of anthropogenic CO2 under pipeline transportation conditions. Both single-phase and vapor-liquid multiphase CO2 flow will be investigated. The two primary goals are to 1) enhance the understanding of CO2 flow in the presence of impurities and 2) develop reliable flow models at low computation costs.
In this research, we systematically investigate the flow behaviors of anthropogenic CO2 under pipeline transportation conditions. Both single-phase and vapor-liquid multiphase CO2 flow will be investigated. The two primary goals are to 1) enhance the understanding of CO2 flow in the presence of impurities and 2) develop reliable flow models at low computation costs.
H2 Blending into Natural Gas Pipelines
H2 Blending into Natural Gas Pipelines
The success in realizing the benefits of hydrogen critically hinges on the ability to transport large quantity of hydrogen efficiently and safely from producing sources to geological sinks. Blending green hydrogen into existing natural gas (NG) infrastructure offers a low-cost pathway to distribute produced hydrogen before full-scale pure hydrogen transportation infrastructures become available, and in the meanwhile reduces the carbon intensity of natural-gas-relied sectors. This research aims at addressing the key challenges and uncertainties surrounding this promising technology, thus drastically reducing the technical barriers of cost-effective hydrogen transportation. Research priorities are given to:
The success in realizing the benefits of hydrogen critically hinges on the ability to transport large quantity of hydrogen efficiently and safely from producing sources to geological sinks. Blending green hydrogen into existing natural gas (NG) infrastructure offers a low-cost pathway to distribute produced hydrogen before full-scale pure hydrogen transportation infrastructures become available, and in the meanwhile reduces the carbon intensity of natural-gas-relied sectors. This research aims at addressing the key challenges and uncertainties surrounding this promising technology, thus drastically reducing the technical barriers of cost-effective hydrogen transportation. Research priorities are given to:
a) Flow Behaviors of H2/NG Blends in Pipeline Network
a) Flow Behaviors of H2/NG Blends in Pipeline Network
b) Characterization of H2-induced Material Degradation
b) Characterization of H2-induced Material Degradation
c) H2/CH4 emission and leakage from pipeline infrastructures
c) H2/CH4 emission and leakage from pipeline infrastructures
The outcomes will benefit numerous ongoing efforts of hydrogen blending in both transmission and distribution lines worldwide and greatly expedite the scale-up and full commercialization of the technology.
The outcomes will benefit numerous ongoing efforts of hydrogen blending in both transmission and distribution lines worldwide and greatly expedite the scale-up and full commercialization of the technology.
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