Pipeline unplugging experiments with the Fluidic Wave-Action Technology

A 7.62-cm diameter pipeline network was built at Florida International University in order to facilitate data acquisition for design optimization and performance evaluation of a pipeline unplugging technology by NuVision Engineering that was based on the fluidic wave-erosion principle. Three types of plug materials were used at three different test bed lengths (86.87, 189.28, and 547.73 m) to determine the effectiveness of the technology with respect to pipeline length. Erosion rates were determined for each plug type and at each test bed length. Although some correlation was observed between erosion rates and other test parameters, the parameters that directly influenced it were not easily discernible. The unplugging technology was observed to create an amplification of pressure at the plug location which was correlated to the process control parameters (i.e. an increase in drive time for the same drive pressure will increase the amplification factor an increase in suction time will decrease the amplification factor). It was also noted that the cavity size affected the amplification factor and resulting wave speeds. A numerical method based on the Method of Characteristics was used to predict the pressure and flow rates generated by the fluid transients caused by unplugging technology in the pipe. It was found that the results obtained from the numerical model was in good agreement with the pressure variation measured in the pipeline and that the modeling can be used to predict unplugging performance at longer pipelines.