Experimental Model Design for Oilwell Drilling Rig Circulation System Studies Part III. (computational modeling and similarity of the test rig)

Abstract

This paper is the third in a series of an experimental apparatus design for annular flow studies. Earlier articles considered the preliminary design of the experimental rig, in terms of preliminary scaling from field data, dimensional analysis and design and suggested experimental conditions, the rig design constrains, rig parameters, and rig construction were considered in part II. In order for to the experimental apparatus to be valid to simulate actual field dimensions and flow parameters a scaling symmetry and similarity between experimental and field data were considered in the present paper (part III),normalized local axial velocity with the inlet velocity against normalized local radius with the radius of the pipe for both experimental and field data were plotted and superimposed, the results showed that both cases were coincides, this implies that the experimental rig is verified and valid for running experiments.