Near Wall Turbulence Investigation of Solid Transport with Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in an Inclined Annulus through Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Technique

The different aspects of near-wall turbulence, frictional pressure losses, near-wall velocity and shear stress profiles caused due to various fluid flow problems during well drilling and well completion are a current area of research. This thesis experimentally and visually analyses the near-wall turbulent behaviour by evolving Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique implied with medium-sized multiphase flow system in an inclined annulus of 5˚ and 10˚. Newtonian fluids as a single-phase (liquid) flow and non-Newtonian fluid as a two-phase (liquid/solid) flow. The data for both single-phase (liquid), and dual-phase (liquid/solid) is analysed in inclined concentric and different eccentric conditions with the rotating inner pipe on different Rotation per Minute (RPM). In the first part of this research thesis, turbulent behaviour of single-phase (liquid phase) water and non-Newtonian fluid (Flowzan) were observed and are reported on different parameters. In the second part of this research thesis, two-phase (liquid/solid) non-Newtonian fluid flow with the addition of solids experiments were analysed. The solids (glass beads) were transported during the fluid flow and observations were studied using a turbulent flow of Newtonian (Water) and non-Newtonian (Flowzan) fluids. Different solid flow behaviour was observed and visualised, and the critical velocity and pressure losses required to form such a solid pattern were observed. The combined effect of different parameters of flow rate, concentric, eccentric, inner pipe rotation and presence of solid glass beads reported conclusive results. The data analysis for the Newtonian Fluid (Liquid phase) and the data generated for the Non-Newtonian Fluid (Solid/Liquid phase) reported that comparing on 5˚ an 10˚ inclinations effected solid flow behaviour. The change in flow behaviour was also reflected upon rotating inner pipe on different RPM. Acquired near-wall velocity profile stats depicts the agreement with universal law of the wall. The conclusion, as mentioned earlier and correlation is effective for Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluid in the turbulent regime.