Drilling Engineering and Fluid Mechanics

Laboratory Staff

Ass. Prof. Andreas Giotis
Director | (+30) 2821037621 | agiotis<at>tuc.gr

Dr. Eleutheria Antoniou
Laboratory Teaching Staff | (+30) 2821037692 |  eantoniou<at>tuc.gr
Chemical Engineer, MSc, Dr.

Laboratory Objective

Research areas are rheological and filtration properties of drilling fluids, drilling hydraulics (single or multi-phase), multiphase flows and cuttings transport, drilling optimization.

We study the rheology of non-Newtonian fluids and their filtration properties which enables us to work on additive development for use for e.g. in high temperatures and with made to order properties. We develop rheological models, using mainly Herschel-Bulkley model, having developed techniques for improving but also understanding rheological measurements. An in-house developed stand alone simulator is available for choosing the best rheological model of given viscometer (Fann) data.

For drilling hydraulics we have developed phenomenological models and we perform experiments for single phase and multiphase non-Newtonian flow, primarily Herschel-Bulkley fluids, in horizontal concentric and eccentric annuli. An integrated approach has been developed for predicting pressure losses in annuli for Herschel-Bulkley fluids flowing in laminar, transitional and turbulent flows, which has evolved into an in-house stand alone simulator utilized to predict pressure losses of non-Newtonian fluids in pipes and annuli.

We develop models of gas-liquid-solid flow in annuli for use in underbalanced drilling and for production engineering. We perform measurements for determining optimum conditions for cuttings transport in horizontal concentric and eccentric annuli. We develop models for settling velocities of solid particles in various non-Newtonian fluids and for bubble velocities in non-Newtonian fluids and develop theoretical models.

We have established a flow loop system, consisting of a horizontal, with capability to be inclined, transparent annulus of 4.5X2.5-in, with inner pipe rotational capabilities to study single- and multiphase flow phenomena in concentric and eccentric annuli, like study of single phase flows of non-Newtonian fluids and establishing frictional loss relationships, study of three/four phase flows for cuttings transport.

We work with our own PAYZONE simulator for optimizing drilling process regarding Weight on Bit, Torque and Rotational Speed and bit condition, using field data for adjusting the simulator and thus allowing optimization of the drilling process in future drilling campaigns in similar areas. We work currently to update the simulator.

Infrastructure

• Flow loop: Flow loop with a 5 m horizontal annulus, with capabilities for inclination from horizontal to vertical, inner pipe diameter 40 mm and outer pipe diameter 70 mm, made of Plexiglas, allowing optical observations, equipped with a cooling system for keeping liquid temperature constant.
• Mass flow meter (Rheonik): A Coriolis (Rheonik) mass flow meter, measuring 0 – 650 kg/min, measuring also temperature and density.
• Pressure drop transducer:Pressure drop transducer (Validyne), measuring between 0-0.125 psi up to 0-6 psi.
• Mixing tank, agitator and pump: Mixing tank (750 l) and 50 mm pvc pipe. Centrifugal pump (10 hp) giving 700 lpm at 4.4 bar, with a system for regulating flow (inverter). A 2 hp agitator for drilling fluid preparation and for dispersing solids (cuttings) into the liquid.
• API Filter presses: Two API filter presses (Fann), a low pressure-low temperature (LPLT) and a high pressure – high temperature (HPHT) for studying filtration characteristics of drilling fluids.
• Couette type concentric cylinder viscometer: A Couette type concentric cylinder viscometer (Grace Instruments) with continuously regulating rotational speed (0.01 – 600 rpm) with a heated cup for rheological measurements at 1 atm and up to 80⁰C, microprocessor controlled and connected to P/C for automatic data storage and handling.
• Rheometer Brookfield: Vane rheometer for measuring directly yield stress of fluids and suspensions, connected to PC.

Research and Development Projects

• 3DMicroPores: Micro-Macro scale couplings in reactive transport processes in porous materials; Realistic 3D experiments towards Rigorous upscaled models. Funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, 2018-2022
• MOZART: Mesoporous matrices for localized pH-triggered release of therapeutic ions and drugs (Horizon 2020 Grant 685872 : 2015-2018)
• GLOW: New weather-stable low gloss powder coatings based on bifunctional acrylic solid resins and nanoadditives (FP7 Grant 324410: 2013-2017)