A generalized hydraulic calculation technique is presented that requires, as input, only the raw rheological data for the fluid and the values of the relevant hydraulic parameters. The method utilizes a powerful new rheological model called the Rational Polynomial model, which is capable of accurately representing the rheogram of virtually any time-independent fluid. Predictions of the new method are compared with published experimental data gathered from large-scale flow loops. The tested cases include laminar and turbulent flow for a variety of drilling fluids in both pipes and concentric annuli.
Keywords:
laminar flow,
pipe flow,
turbulence,
rheology,
hydraulic systems,
polynomials,
oil drilling
Topics:
Flow (Dynamics),
Fluids,
Pipes,
Polynomials,
Rheology,
Turbulence,
Drilling,
Shear rate,
Computational methods
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