CFD modeling of virtual mass force and pressure gradient force on deposition rate of asphaltene aggregates in oil wells

Abstract

Asphaltene deposition in oil wells greatly causes production and associated monetary losses. In this work, the virtual mass force and pressure gradient force are considered in the momentum equation of asphaltene aggregates, since the rate of asphaltene particle density (1100 kg/m3) to crude oil density (886 kg/m3) is close to 1. Accordingly, the flow of oil-asphaltene particles was simulated within the Eulerian–Lagrangian framework in a production tubing. Subsequently, the shear stress turbulence model and discrete random walk model are applied to predict the deposition rate of asphaltene aggregates on production tubing. The simulation results show that the deposition rate considering these two forces agrees well with the experimental data. Moreover, the effect of the saffman lift force, virtual mass force, pressure gradient force, oil viscosity, particle density, wall roughness as well as crude oil density are investigated on the deposition rate of asphaltene aggregates on production tubing. The findings of this work can favor a better understand of the law of asphaltene deposition in oil wells.