Lumped – Capacitance Design for Transient Heat Loss Prediction in Oil and Gas Production Pipes in Various Media

Purpose: A Lumped Capacitance innovative approach is used here to analyze the transient temperature decay of a pipeline in water, air, and sand. Design/Methodology/Approach: A straightforward small-scale test equipment was used to measure transient heat loss through steel pipes that were in contact with air, water and sand mediums separately. The pipe was supported in the lab using a lumped capacitance method as part of the air medium experiment. A concentric PVC pipe was used to encase the pipe in the water and sand mediums, with dry sand and water being poured into the annulus. Hot hair was generated in the pipes and transient cool-down tests were carried. Hot water replaced the hot air and another transient cool-down tests were performed. Findings: Results obtained show experimental approach agreement. Systematic and environmental errors were attributed to a maximum deviation of 21% between design and performance. Research Limitation/Implications: The transient temperature decay method implored in this work makes no use of the finite element method. This justified by the fact that pipes with complex pipe geometries were not used in the work. Practical Implication: The experimental methodology presented in this work will allow the prediction of transient cool-down behavior and cool-down duration of the fluids in pipelines using an established theory during the pipelines’ design. This will assist with flow assurance litigation in the oil and gas sector. Social Implication: This work presents yet another experimental framework needed to advance the workflows within the oil and gas industry for sustainable industrialization. Originality/Value: The novelty lies in the sustainable and innovative experimental framework for analysing transient temperature decay of oil and gas pipeline in three different media.