Formula for Calculating Pressure Distribution of Crude Oil Flowing through 180 Degree Bend

Abstract

FLUENT software was used to analyze the distribution of internal pressure P of elbow with the variation of outlet pressure P0, inlet velocity v, fluid density ρ and the degree of curvature k=R/D during the flow of crude oil in 180 degree bend pipe, to establish 135 kinds of working condition of internal pressure P distribution database. According to the distribution law of the pressure of the inner wall of the elbow under different parameters (P0, v, ρ, k), calculation formula of the internal pressure distribution of the pipe is analyzed and fitted by 1stOpt software. Through the numerical simulation results of 11 kinds of working condition of FLUENT, the calculation precision of the formula was verified (Maximum relative error). It provides basis for design of bend pipe and safety evaluation of pipeline in high pressure, high flow rate and long distance petroleum pipeline.