International energy consultancy Xodus Group and Dutch innovation company TNO have completed the first phase of a pioneering joint industry project (JIP) into the dynamic forces which affect the integrity of piping systems, in particular through multiphase flow, according to a news release.

The second phase of the project, which is expected to be run across three stages, is now open for new participants to join.

Eight companies were involved in the first phase of the project: BP, Statoil, Total, Suncor, Shell, Lundin, Aker Solutions and FMC, the release said. TNO carried out the bulk of the test work at its facilities in The Netherlands, while Xodus managed the program and developed CFD schemes to be able to reproduce the measured results. Based on the outcome of analyses by both companies, new scaling rules were produced. Additionally, CD-adapco provided software (STAR-CCM+) and carried out simulations in support of the JIP, the release said.

Multiphase flow, the passage of more than one fluid, gas or chemical substance through a pipeline, can cause flow induced vibration (FIV), according to the release. This is an increasing concern on subsea (and topsides) production piping systems. As data is limited in this arena, the aim of the JIP is to investigate and understand the forces induced by multiphase flow on piping systems, and generate validation data for multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model and analyze its occurrence, the release said.

Phase 1 was valued at more than £500,000 and involved testing on a 1.5 R/D stiff bend for a range of flow conditions. The inlet pipe to the bend had three configurations: straight, u-bend vertical and u-bend horizontal. Detailed measurements were made to analyze the forces acting on the bend, pressure and void fraction distributions upstream, downstream and within the bend. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations were carried out to compare test results with a range of flow conditions, the release said.

Phase 2 is actively seeking additional sponsors and will look to extend the work carried out in Phase 1 to cover a range of bend radii. It aims to begin in autumn this year. The scope will include testing additional bend configurations, preparation for testing at in service conditions for Phase 3 and additional CFD studies. The goal is to raise awareness of this issue and increase knowledge to incorporate into advance screening, simulation and prediction models, the release said.