Mathematical Modelling of Oil Pipeline Leakages Using Computational Fluid Dynamics - Case of BIDCO Oil Processing Refinery, Uganda

The leakage flow phenomena of a refinery oil pipe with a leakage point is numerically studied with the purpose to minimize oil leakage using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. Among consequences of oil pipe leakages are losses as a result of property loss (oil), cost of pipe replacement and also death due to fire or explosion. To understand the leakage phenomena, pipe characteristics at the leakage orifice are necessary. In the simulation, considering a pipe with a leak orifice of 0.002m, diameter 0.06 m and length 10 m, single phased flow was considered. The leakage through the pipe was studied based on fluid dynamics simulations using a Computational fluid dynamic tool ANSYS FLUENT software 17.2 where the Navier-Stokes were solved and for turbulence the standard k-ε was considered. Results from this study show that the leakage flow rate increases with increase in velocity inflow of the fluid. The pressure effect was also studied at the vicinity of the leak and results also show that an increase in velocity increases the pressure drop. Therefore, keeping the inflow velocity range of 0.1ms−1 to 2 ms−1 show minimal leakage rates.