Article
Mechanics
R. Zhang, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: In this study, Newtonian laminar miscible displacement flows in a narrow, vertical, eccentric annulus are investigated through experiments and computational models. The results are compared using different approaches, and close matches are found in terms of the overall evolving displacement process, including front shape, dispersion levels, and front velocities. Standardized criteria are established to identify the characteristics of displacement fronts in both concentric and eccentric annuli. Three characteristic flows are observed, including unsteady and dispersive flow, dispersive flow with a steady front, and non-dispersive flow with a steady front. The importance of the buoyancy number is highlighted, as it affects dispersion on the annular gap scale and induces secondary flows in the azimuthal direction.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingpeng Wang, Youming Xiong, Zongyu Lu, Wei Zhang, Jiwei Wu, Ruihua Wei, Xiaoxiao Li
Summary: This paper investigates the relationship between casing eccentricity and displacement efficiency in the cementing process and establishes a displacement efficiency model for oil-based drilling fluid. The study finds that the thickness of the annular detention layer increases with casing eccentricity, with a higher growth rate on the wellbore side. Larger displacements pose greater cementing risks.
Article
Mechanics
R. Zhang, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: Laminar miscible displacement flows in narrow, vertical, eccentric annuli exhibit various physical phenomena, which are important for the primary cementing of wells. The current modeling approach, the 2DGA model, lacks the ability to capture dispersion effects. This study improves the modeling method by incorporating the high Peclet number limit of miscible duct displacement flows, resulting in a more accurate approximation.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Ruizi Zhang, Maryam Ghorbani, Sungshuen Wong, Ian A. Frigaard
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive investigation on the displacement flows of shear-thinning fluids in a vertical eccentric annulus. Experimental and computational methods were employed, and the influence of buoyancy force and viscosity ratio on flow behavior was explored. The findings contribute to a better understanding of shear-thinning effects in displacement flows.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Farshad Nazari, Kourosh Shoele, Hadi Mohammadigoushki
Summary: We present a study on the locomotion of a helical swimmer in yield stress fluids, which involves three stages. In the first stage, the swimmer needs to overcome the yield strain of the material to achieve rotational motion. However, surpassing the first threshold alone does not lead to locomotion. Only when the viscous forces are strong enough to cause plastic deformation of the material, resulting in movement away from the swimmer, can net locomotion occur. In the third stage of locomotion, the yield stress affects swimming differently at small and large pitch angles, retarding or enhancing the swimming speed respectively. Flow visualizations demonstrate highly localized flow near the swimmer in yield stress fluids.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Rodrigo S. Mitishita, Jordan A. MacKenzie, Gwynn J. Elfring, Ian A. Frigaard
Summary: Research on turbulent flows of high Reynolds number viscoplastic fluids has been conducted, and an experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of Carbopol on the rheology and turbulence statistics of the fluid.To increase Reynolds number with a Carbopol solution, streamwise Reynolds stresses approach Newtonian values in the core, suggesting diminishing effects of shear-thinning. The addition of Carbopol enhances turbulence anisotropy and alters energy content at different scales in comparison to water.
JOURNAL OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID MECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vinay Vaibhav, Juergen Horbach, Pinaki Chaudhuri
Summary: Using numerical simulations, this study examines the flow behavior of a model glass-forming binary mixture with large particle size ratio. The research focuses on the rheological response to applied shear in the regime where the larger species dominate spatially. The study shows that as density increases, macroscopic rigidity emerges in the regime where the larger species undergo glass transition while the smaller species remain highly diffusive. The analysis reveals the interplay between shear timescale and quiescent relaxation dynamics of the two species, offering microscopic insights into the observed rheological response. Additionally, by adjusting the composition of the mixture, the study demonstrates that the systematic insertion of smaller particles affects the rheology by reducing system viscosity.
Article
Mechanics
B. Calusi, A. Farina, L. Fusi, F. Rosso
Summary: In this study, the linear stability of a flow down an incline is investigated when the fluid is modeled as a regularized Bingham-like fluid. The theoretical analysis using the long-wave approximation method reveals the existence of a critical condition for the onset of instability, which depends on the tilt angle and rheological parameters. The comparison with experimental studies shows satisfactory results.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Maolin Liao, Yuxi Wang, Jiaze Ma, Zhipeng Liu, Caiyin Ji
Summary: This study investigates the flow of cement slurry in narrow or varied radial sizes well annuli for precise calculation of equivalent circulating density (ECD) in petroleum industry. The Metzner-Reed (MR) method and direct numerical simulation (DNS) are used to calculate the ECD for different types of cement slurries, considering Bingham and Power-Law rheological models. The theoretical MR method is verified to be in agreement with the DNS results. The accuracy of commercial software (DRILL BENCH (DB), LANDMARK (LM), and PVI) in calculating ECD is compared based on the DNS results, with LM showing the highest accuracy for Power-Law fluid and PVI being optimal for Bingham fluid, while DB exhibits sharp fluctuations in calculation errors.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Daniele Filippi, Ladislav Derzsi, Francesco Nalin, Andrea Vezzani, Davide Ferraro, Annamaria Zaltron, Giampaolo Mistura, Matteo Pierno
Summary: The handling of yield-stress fluids is important for various injection and transport technologies such as additive manufacturing, injection molding, food rheology, and oil transport. This study focuses on the pressure-driven flow of emulsions in a microfluidic channel with a herringbone-patterned wall roughness. The results reveal a surprising flow boost in the forward direction as the emulsion approaches a jammed state, with evidence of nonlocal correlations and heterogeneous stress distribution.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Vladimir Shelukhin
Summary: The new mathematical model developed for rotational sedimentation of particles in a concentric-cylinder Couette geometry shows good agreement with known measurement data, validating its accuracy. Sedimentation is proven to occur due to particles' rotation and rotational diffusion according to the proposed theory.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenli Ke, Yuetian Liu, Xu Zhao, Gaoming Yu, Jie Wang
Summary: This study analyzed the physical properties of a heavy oil sample and investigated the effect of mobility on the threshold pressure gradient. A numerical simulator was developed to study the impact of the threshold pressure gradient on the distribution of remaining oil. The results showed that the uneven distribution of remaining oil was intensified due to the threshold pressure gradient of heavy oil.
Article
Energy & Fuels
H. Jung, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: This paper explores how variations in common cementing practices can improve displacement efficiency, such as using excess cement volume, increasing centralizer usage, and performing staged cement. Optimizing these methods can enhance the displacement efficiency of cement in the cementing process.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
P. R. Varges, E. C. Rodrigues, L. C. Moraes, P. R. de Souza Mendes, M. F. Naccache
Summary: This study presents numerical results of flow displacement and instabilities in a vertical annular duct when a viscoplastic fluid is replaced by a Newtonian one. The findings provide insights into the effects of viscosity, inertia, and buoyancy on flow displacement.
JOURNAL OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Benzi, Thibaut Divoux, Catherine Barentin, Sebastien Manneville, Mauro Sbragaglia, Federico Toschi
Summary: Soft Glassy Materials (SGM) are dense amorphous assemblies of colloidal particles with diverse shapes, elasticity, and interactions, giving them solid-like properties at rest. They are widely used in modern engineering fields such as additive manufacturing, semi-solid flow cells, dip coating, and adhesive locomotion, and often undergo a solid-to-liquid transition induced by shear. In this article, we propose a continuum model based on a spatially resolved fluidity approach to explain shear-induced yielding in SGMs. Our model captures quantitatively the key features of complex flows in SGMs, including the rate dependence of stress overshoot, transient shear-banded flows, and scaling laws for fluidization times.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ingen Perser, Ian Alistair Frigaard
Summary: This study examines the long-term performance of a horizontal deep Borehole Heat Exchanger (BHE) in intermittent mode. A mathematical model is developed and verified using experimental results to predict the transient heat transfer process within the BHE. The study investigates the effect of various key parameters on the thermal performance of the BHE in both continuous and intermittent modes. The results show that increasing the flow rate of circulating fluid, undisturbed ground temperature, and ground thermal conductivity improves the heat extraction rate.
Article
Mechanics
Ali Pourzahedi, Emad Chaparian, Ali Roustaei, Ian A. Frigaard
Summary: In this study, computational methods were used to determine the minimum yield stress required to hold a buoyant bubble static in a yield-stress liquid. The results showed that the static limit is influenced by the bubble shape, surface tension, and the ratio of yield stress to buoyancy stress. The findings highlight the importance of considering these factors when analyzing static bubbles in different geometries and conditions.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
K. Zhao, E. W. Tedford, M. Zare, I. A. Frigaard, G. A. Lawrence
Summary: A study found that in a simulated ebullition experiment mimicking lake sediments, rising bubbles form a conduit with velocities faster than traditionally predicted. The bubbles also expel water and upon escape, water flows back into the conduit. This process enhances the transport of heat and contaminants between aquatic sediments and water.
JOURNAL OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
A. Renteria, P. Sarmadi, C. Thompson, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: The study explores the impact of borehole ovalization and large-scale irregularities on displacement during primary cementing of a horizontal well section. Using a two-dimensional gap-averaged model, the research found that irregularities can lead to additional azimuthal flow compared to uniformly circular wellbores, with displacement leaving residual mud patches at the top of eccentric horizontal wellbores when the displaced mud has a significant yield stress.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
H. Jung, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: This paper explores how variations in common cementing practices can improve displacement efficiency, such as using excess cement volume, increasing centralizer usage, and performing staged cement. Optimizing these methods can enhance the displacement efficiency of cement in the cementing process.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Rodrigo S. Mitishita, Gwynn J. Elfring, Ian A. Frigaard
Summary: This study experimentally investigates the behavior of a wormlike micellar solution that forms a gel at room temperature in turbulent flow and compares it with other fluids. The results show that the gel-like structure of the solution is mostly broken down during turbulence, low concentrations of surfactant exhibit Newtonian-like flow field, and high concentrations lead to drag reduction and lower power spectral densities.
JOURNAL OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
P. Sarmadi, A. Renteria, C. Thompson, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: This study explores the effects of borehole geometry on displacement flow in primary cementing. The analysis shows that borehole geometry can be reconstructed using the lowest 3-5 dominant frequencies, and that irregularities in the borehole can make a significant difference in cementing horizontal wells.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Paul Vigneaux, Yajian Shao, Ian A. Frigaard
Summary: With the excavation of underground spaces increasing, the mining industry has developed various techniques for refilling these voids. One of them is cemented paste backfill (CBP), which involves mixing tailings with water and a binder. This paper examines the use of a simplified thin-film model to describe the evolution of the paste shape within the stope. Mathematical challenges include incorporating the yield stress behavior of the paste and handling the walls consistently. The simulations are compared with physical experiments using realistic tailings pastes, and good agreement is found.
CEMENT AND CONCRETE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Rodrigo S. Mitishita, Gwynn J. Elfring, Ian. A. Frigaard
Summary: In this study, the effects of flexible and rigid polymer solutions on turbulent drag reduction in a 2:1 aspect ratio rectangular duct were investigated experimentally. The results showed that both xanthan gum (XG) and partially hydrolysed polyacrylamide (HPAM) had similar effects on turbulence at similar Reynolds numbers and drag reduction percentages. At high drag reduction levels, the power spectral densities of streamwise velocity fluctuations exhibited a power-law decay near -3, indicating the presence of elasto-inertial turbulence (EIT). Additionally, the flexible polymer solutions were found to be more effective at reducing drag at relatively low concentrations compared to XG.
JOURNAL OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
M. Daneshi, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: Experiments are conducted to investigate the onset of motion of bubbles in Carbopol gel, a model yield stress fluid. The results show that the shape and size of bubbles at the onset of motion are related to the rheology of the material, particularly elastic behavior below the yielding point. The dynamic response of the gel during bubble growth is studied, confirming the irreversibility of gel deformation and its hysteresis before yielding. The expansion and contraction of bubbles during this process leave residual deformation (stresses) in the gel, facilitating the liberation of bubbles.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
R. Zhang, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: In this study, Newtonian laminar miscible displacement flows in a narrow, vertical, eccentric annulus are investigated through experiments and computational models. The results are compared using different approaches, and close matches are found in terms of the overall evolving displacement process, including front shape, dispersion levels, and front velocities. Standardized criteria are established to identify the characteristics of displacement fronts in both concentric and eccentric annuli. Three characteristic flows are observed, including unsteady and dispersive flow, dispersive flow with a steady front, and non-dispersive flow with a steady front. The importance of the buoyancy number is highlighted, as it affects dispersion on the annular gap scale and induces secondary flows in the azimuthal direction.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
H. Hassanzadeh, I. A. Frigaard, S. M. Taghavi
Summary: In this experimental study, we investigate the dynamics of a jet flow in a mixture of a Newtonian fluid and a viscoplastic ambient fluid. By using various non-intrusive experimental techniques, we identify four distinct jet flow patterns and compare their morphological behavior, jet radius, velocity profile, and other characteristics. Our results demonstrate that increasing the yield stress of the ambient fluid has a significant impact on the jet flow behavior.
JOURNAL OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
E. Trudel, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: This article investigates the factors affecting wellbore leakage, including the height of the cement column, over-pressured hydrocarbon bearing formation intersection, and the use of squeeze cementing. The results show that these operational factors have significant effects on leakage, suggesting the use of stochastic-based models for risk-based plug and abandonment practices. The heterogeneity of microannulus thickness also has surprising effects on leakage behavior.
GEOENERGY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
A. Renteria, I. A. Frigaard
Summary: Results from an experimental study on displacement flows in an eccentric horizontal annulus are presented. The study reveals that having a viscosity stable configuration leads to better displacements. However, the effective viscosity ratio between fluids can vary at different locations and flow rates. Casing rotation is effective at improving the displacement, but poor displacement from the annulus walls is observed in the case of adverse viscosity ratios.
GEOENERGY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alondra Renteria, Pouya Khalili, Ian Frigaard, Mahmoud Khalifeh
Summary: The substitution of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) by geopolymer materials has the potential to reduce carbon footprint and provide more flexibility and durability in sealing oil and gas wells. However, geopolymer materials have chemical incompatibilities with commonly used drilling muds. This study presents a case study on designing compatible spacers for sealing wellbores with geopolymer, using 2D-gap averaged simulations to ensure minimal mud-geopolymer contamination and optimize displacement efficiency.
GEOENERGY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Mateus C. Guimaraes, Fernando T. Pinho, Carlos B. da Silva
Summary: A new theory is proposed to describe the conformation state of polymer chains in free turbulent shear flows of viscoelastic fluids. The theory shows the existence of minimum and maximum solvent dissipation reduction asymptotes and four different polymer deformation regimes, based on self-similarity arguments and new scaling relations for the turbulent flux of conformation tensor. In addition, analytical solutions for the self-similar transverse profiles of the conformation tensor components are obtained. The theory is validated through excellent agreement with direct numerical simulations employing the FENE-P rheological model.
JOURNAL OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID MECHANICS
(2024)