1

Pressure Drop Calculations

1.7-1
2
1.7-2
3
1.7-3 For multiple nozzles in
parallel
V
n
is the same for each nozzle
even if the d
n
varies!
This follows since Ap is the same
across each nozzle.
t
n
A 117 . 3
q
v =
2
2
t
2
d
-5
bit
A C
q 10 * 8.311
p

=

10 * 074 . 8
p
c v
4
d n

A
=

&
C
d
= 0.95
4
1.7-4 Hydraulic Horsepower
of pump putting out 400 gpm at 3,000 psi = ?


Power, in field units:
1714
000 , 3 * 400
HHP =
1714
p q
HHP
A
=
Hydraulic Horsepower of Pump = 700 hp
5
1.7-5 What is Hydraulic Impact
Force
developed by bit?

If:
psi 169 , 1 p
lb/gal 12
gal/min 400 q
95 . 0 C
n
D
=
=
=
=
p q c 01823 . 0 F
d j
A =
6
1.7-6 Laminar Flow
Rheological Models
Newtonian
Bingham Plastic
Power-Law (ADE & API)
Rotational Viscometer
Laminar Flow in Wellbore
Fluid Flow in Pipes
Fluid Flow in Annuli
7
Laminar Flow of Newtonian Fluids

A
F

L
V
=
Experimentally:
1.7-7
8
1.7-8 Newtonian Fluid Model
In a Newtonian fluid the shear stress is directly
proportional to the shear rate (in laminar flow):


i.e.,

The constant of proportionality, is the viscosity
of the fluid and is independent of shear rate.
|
.
|

\
|
=
sec
1
2

cm
dyne

-
= t
9
1.7-9 Newtonian Fluid Model
Viscosity may be expressed in poise or centipoise.
poise 0.01 centipoise 1
s cm
g
1
cm
s - dyne
1 poise 1
2
=

= =
2
cm
sec dyne -

t
=
-
10
1.7-10 Shear Stress vs. Shear Rate for a
Newtonian Fluid
Slope of line =
.
t =
11
1.7-11 Typical Drilling Fluid Vs. Newtonian,
Bingham and Power Law Fluids
0
12
1.7-12 Rheological Models
1. Newtonian Fluid:



2. Bingham Plastic Fluid:
viscosity plastic
point yield
p
y
=
= t
What if
y
= 0?
-
= t
-
+ t = t
p y
rate shear
viscosity absolute
stress shear
=
=
= t
-
13
1.7-13
Rotating
Sleeve
Viscometer
14
1.7-14 Figure 3.6
Rotating
Viscometer
Rheometer
We
determine
rheological
properties
of drilling
fluids in
this device
Infinite
parallel
plates
15
1.7-15 Rheometer
(Rotational Viscometer)
Shear Stress = f (Dial Reading)
Shear Rate = f (Sleeve RPM)
Shear Stress = f (Shear Rate)
) ( f t =
BOB
sleeve
fluid
Rate Shear the (GAMMA), of value
the on depends Stress Shear the ), TAU (

t
16
1.7-16 Example
A rotational viscometer containing a Bingham plastic
fluid gives a dial reading of 12 at a rotor speed of 300
RPM and a dial reading of 20 at a rotor speed of 600 RPM

Compute plastic viscosity and yield point
12 - 20
300 600 p
=
= u u
cp 8
p
=
u
600
= 20
u
300
= 12
See Appendix A
17
1.7-17 Example
8 - 12
p 300 y
=
= u t
2
y
ft lbf/100 4 = t
u
600
= 20
u
300
= 12
(See Appendix A)
18
1.7-18 Gel Strength
19
1.7-19 Gel Strength

= shear stress at which fluid movement begins
The yield strength, extrapolated from the
300 and 600 RPM readings is not a good
representation of the gel strength of the fluid

Gel strength may be measured by turning the
rotor at a low speed and noting the dial
reading at which the gel structure is broken
(usually at 3 RPM)

20
1.7-20 Gel Strength
In field units,
In practice, this is often approximated to
u t 06 . 1
g
=
2
ft 100 / lbf
2
ft 100 / lbf
The gel strength is the maximum dial reading
when the viscometer is started at 3 rpm.
g
=
max,3

21
1.7-21 Velocity Profiles
(laminar flow)
Fig. 4-26. Velocity profiles for laminar flow:
(a) pipe flow and (b) annular flow
22
It looks like concentric rings of fluid
telescoping down the pipe at different velocities
3D View of Laminar Flow in a pipe
- Newtonian Fluid
1.7-22
23
1.7-23 Table 4.3 - Summary of
Equations for Rotational Viscometer
Newtonian Model
N a
N
300
u =
N
r
066 . 5
2
=

300 a
u =
or
24
1.7-24 Table 4.3 - Summary of Equations
for Rotational Viscometer
300
N
or
1
p N y
1
u t =
rpm 3 at
max g
u t =
Bingham Plastic Model
300 600 p
u u =
) (
N N
300
or
1 2
N N
1 2
p
u u

=
p 300 y
u t =
or
or
25
1.7-25 Total Pump Pressure
Pressure loss in surf. equipment
Pressure loss in drill pipe
Pressure loss in drill collars
Pressure drop across the bit nozzles
Pressure loss in the annulus between the drill
collars and the hole wall
Pressure loss in the annulus between the drill
pipe and the hole wall
Hydrostatic pressure difference ( varies)
26
1.7-26 Pressure losses for laminar
flow.
2
500 , 1 d
V
dL
dP
=
( )
2
1 2
000 , 1 d d
V
dL
dP

d d
V
dL
dP
y p
225 500 , 1
2
t
+ =
( ) ( )
1 2
2
1 2
200 000 , 1 d d d d
V
dL
dP
y p

=
t
Newtonian Fluid Bingham Plastic Fluid
27
1.7-27 Types of flow
Laminar
Fig. 4-30. Laminar and turbulent flow patterns in a circular pipe: (a) laminar
flow, (b) transition between laminar and turbulent flow and (c) turbulent flow
Turbulent
28
1.7-28 Turbulent
Flow - Newtonian
Fluid
We often assume that fluid flow is
turbulent if N
re
> 2100
cp. fluid, of viscosity
in I.D., pipe d
ft/s velocity, fluid avg. v
lbm/gal density, fluid where
_
=
=
=
=

d v 928
N
_
Re
=
29
Turbulent Flow -
Newtonian Fluid
25 . 1
25 . 0
75 . 1
_
75 . 0
f
d 1800
v
dL
dp
=
Turbulent Flow -
Bingham Plastic Fluid
25 . 1
25 . 0
p
75 . 1
_
75 . 0
f
d 1800
v
dL
dp

=
( )
25 . 1
1 2
25 . 0
p
75 . 1
_
75 . 0
f
d d 396 , 1
v
dL
dp

=
( )
25 . 1
1 2
25 . 0
75 . 1
_
75 . 0
f
d d 396 , 1
v
dL
dp

=
In Annulus
In Pipe
1.7-29