In this work, the flow effects on an isolation plugging tool in a pipeline were numerically investigated using computational fluid dynamics. The study focused on optimal parameter design for the isolation plugging tool, which reduced the unsteady force effects on the x and y directions of the flow field. First, three-dimensional models of the isolation plugging tool and pipe were built. The velocity, pressure, and force analysis on the flow past the isolation plugging tool were investigated via computational fluid dynamics simulation. Second, a combination of design parameter ratios was selected using the Box-Behnken method for a series of numerical experiments. From the simulation results, three regression total force models were determined for the x, y, and z directions using response surface methodology. A modified genetic algorithm was proposed to optimize the design parameter ratios for the isolation plugging tool based on the regression models. The optimum parameter ratios were chosen and verified using the simulation results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.