Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types
The issue of liquid accumulation at the bottom of natural gas wells poses a critical bottleneck for efficient production and extended well lifespan. To address this challenge, this study innovatively developed the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool and systematically compared its gas-liquid t...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025010825 |
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| author | Tianyue Guo Bin Huang Daye Wang Cheng Fu Yu Sui |
| author_facet | Tianyue Guo Bin Huang Daye Wang Cheng Fu Yu Sui |
| author_sort | Tianyue Guo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The issue of liquid accumulation at the bottom of natural gas wells poses a critical bottleneck for efficient production and extended well lifespan. To address this challenge, this study innovatively developed the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool and systematically compared its gas-liquid two-phase flow characteristics with the internal vortex tool, three-lobed obtuse-angle vortex, and three-lobed acute-angle vortex through numerical simulations. Results indicate that the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool demonstrates outstanding performance in gas-liquid separation, effectively transforming dispersed flow into annular flow and forming a uniform and continuous liquid film. The liquid film parameters, ranked in ascending order, are as follows: three-lobed vortex obtuse-angle tool < internal vortex tool < three-lobed vortex acute-angle tool < three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool. The average thickness, perimeter, and area of the liquid film in the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool reach 1.35 mm, 189.02 mm, and 246 mm², respectively. Although the acceleration induced by the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool results in a greater pressure drop (10.6 %), it achieves a maximum velocity of 83.2 m/s and maintains a more stable velocity core, significantly outperforming other tools. The design of the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool introduces a novel approach to gas well drainage gas recovery, showcasing tremendous potential for extending well lifespan and enhancing gas production efficiency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e0a15aeb1c1d46f98affb1d2ded45099 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-e0a15aeb1c1d46f98affb1d2ded450992025-08-20T02:18:47ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-06-012610500710.1016/j.rineng.2025.105007Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool typesTianyue Guo0Bin Huang1Daye Wang2Cheng Fu3Yu Sui4Key Laboratory of Enhanced Oil Recovery (Northeast Petroleum University), Ministry of Education; College of Petroleum Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing 163318, China; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, SingaporeChongqing University of science and technology, Chongqing, 401331, China; Corresponding authors.China United Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd., Beijing 100011, ChinaChongqing University of science and technology, Chongqing, 401331, ChinaKey Laboratory of Enhanced Oil Recovery (Northeast Petroleum University), Ministry of Education; College of Petroleum Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing 163318, China; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore; Corresponding authors.The issue of liquid accumulation at the bottom of natural gas wells poses a critical bottleneck for efficient production and extended well lifespan. To address this challenge, this study innovatively developed the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool and systematically compared its gas-liquid two-phase flow characteristics with the internal vortex tool, three-lobed obtuse-angle vortex, and three-lobed acute-angle vortex through numerical simulations. Results indicate that the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool demonstrates outstanding performance in gas-liquid separation, effectively transforming dispersed flow into annular flow and forming a uniform and continuous liquid film. The liquid film parameters, ranked in ascending order, are as follows: three-lobed vortex obtuse-angle tool < internal vortex tool < three-lobed vortex acute-angle tool < three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool. The average thickness, perimeter, and area of the liquid film in the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool reach 1.35 mm, 189.02 mm, and 246 mm², respectively. Although the acceleration induced by the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool results in a greater pressure drop (10.6 %), it achieves a maximum velocity of 83.2 m/s and maintains a more stable velocity core, significantly outperforming other tools. The design of the three-lobed variable-diameter vortex tool introduces a novel approach to gas well drainage gas recovery, showcasing tremendous potential for extending well lifespan and enhancing gas production efficiency.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025010825Drainage gas recoveryVortex toolLiquid filmQuantitative analysis |
| spellingShingle | Tianyue Guo Bin Huang Daye Wang Cheng Fu Yu Sui Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types Results in Engineering Drainage gas recovery Vortex tool Liquid film Quantitative analysis |
| title | Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types |
| title_full | Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types |
| title_fullStr | Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types |
| title_short | Reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics: Performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types |
| title_sort | reconstruction of downhole fluid dynamics performance comparison of multiple vortex tool types |
| topic | Drainage gas recovery Vortex tool Liquid film Quantitative analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025010825 |
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