A Study To Minimize the Erosion Caused by Sand In Oil And Gas Pipelines / Nurul Majidah bte Haji Ahmad

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Mechanical Engineering Programme Area of Universiti Teknologi Brunei.

Abstract

Erosion is inevitable by-product produced in oil and gas pipelines. Sand particles enters the pipe from the reservoir and causes damage to internal wall of the pipe which eventually causes the pipe to burst. This will become dangerous to the surrounding especially the employee. In addition to that, the maintenance cost and downtime costs will gives impact on the industry's economy. This paper focuses mainly on educating the reader on this problem, bringing forward some of the methods in controlling and predicting the amount of erosion rate. In addition to that, the factors that might contribute on the erosion rate will be mentioned in this paper. Empirical procedure and CFD analysis will be the best solution to predict this type of erosion. However, it will be best if the data and parameters from the industry were given to make the experiment accurate. Nevertheless, this paper is successful in bringing out the phenomenon to find and develop the best solution. Therefore, further studies must be undertaken in order to expand the knowledge of erosion and find the models for erosion damage prediction and prevention.

Includes bibliographical references