Modelling Hydrate Deposition in Gas-Dominant Subsea Pipelines in Operating and Shutdown Scenarios

Oghenethoja Monday Umuteme, Sheikh Zahidul Islam (), Mamdud Hossain and Aditya Karnik
Additional contact information
Oghenethoja Monday Umuteme: School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, UK
Sheikh Zahidul Islam: School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, UK
Mamdud Hossain: School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, UK
Aditya Karnik: School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, UK

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: This study addresses a significant research gap related to hydrate formation in subsea gas pipelines, with a specific focus on deposition rates during shutdown scenarios, which has received limited attention in previous studies. Past research has employed various methodologies, including experimental, analytical, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches, to predict hydrate formation conditions, but none have tackled the prediction of hydrate deposition during shutdowns. In this study, we employ a multiple linear regression modeling approach using the MATLAB regression learner app. Four distinct regression models were developed using data generated from 81 CFD simulations, utilising a 10 m length by 0.0204 m diameter 3D horizontal pipe model in Ansys Fluent, as previously developed Through cross-validation against experimental data, the standard linear regression model emerged as the most reliable choice for predicting hydrate deposition rates, providing predictions within ±10% uncertainty bounds of experimental results up to pressures of 8.8 MPa at hydrate-forming temperatures. The uniqueness of this new model lies in its ability to estimate the risk of hydrate deposition in subsea gas pipelines, especially with low gas flow rates and during shutdown periods, which are critical for maintenance planning. Furthermore, by estimating depositional volumes, the model predicts hydrate slurry volumes at receiving facilities, contributing to energy sustainability and benefiting gas transport pipeline operators, particularly in aging gas fields with declining production.

Keywords: hydrate deposition rate; linear regression modelling; subcooling temperature; gas pipeline; pipeline diameter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/18/13824/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/18/13824/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13824-:d:1241415

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().