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Discrete Multi-physics modeling of hydrate blockage in pipelines

Project description

New model to predict hydrate blockages

Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds mainly composed of methane in water-ice cages. They often form in oil and gas pipelines, where they stick to the inner walls clogging the flow. When this happens, the blocked section of pipe needs to be cut out and replaced, resulting in long production shutdowns. The oil and gas industry spends more than EUR 200 million annually to prevent such blockages. Commercial software packages focus solely on the thermodynamics of hydrate formation. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme, the HYDROBLOCK project aims to develop a mathematical model based on discrete multi-physics that will link thermodynamics, heat transfer and hydrodynamics. The software tool that the project plans to develop will be made freely available to academics and practitioners.

Objective

Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds where a cage-like water structure surrounds an organic molecule such as methane. They often form in oil and gas pipelines, where they stick to the inner walls clogging the flow. When this happens, the blocked section of pipe needs to be cut out and replaced, resulting in long shutdowns of production. The oil and gas industry spends more than 200 million euros per year to prevent such blockages and industry sources estimate the total costs for prevention and lost production due to hydrates in the order of billions. Available commercial software packages generally only focus on the thermodynamics of hydrate formation, but recent scientific literature emphasizes the interconnected role of thermodynamics with heat transfer and hydrodynamics. To better understand this phenomenon and to devise techniques to control/minimize its effects, we aim to adapt a novel multi-physics methodology called Discrete Multi-physics and derive from it computational tools to study and predict hydrate blockage. Based on Discrete Multi-physics, we will set up a mathematical model that links thermodynamics, heat transfer and hydrodynamics and generate an Open Source software freely available to other academics and practitioners.

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018

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Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 168 700,32
Address
Edgbaston
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom

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Region
West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 168 700,32
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