Juan G. Faustinelli (Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering)
Temperature and Flow Performance Modeling of Gas-Lift Valves
(108 pp. – Chapters V)
Directed by Dr. Dale Doty
(173 words)
A new model that predicts the performance of a gas-lift valve was developed. It takes into account all three flow performance regimes (orifice, transition and throttling flow) and is able to predict the volumetric gas flow rate more accurately than previous models. The new model was developed using the flow performance data from the McMurry JR-STDN one-inch gas-lift valve. This model is based on physical principles and requires fewer empirical coefficients than previous ones.
Additional tests were performed on the Enterra Lift System JRN one-inch inj ection pressure operated valve. The results indicate that this valve has similar dynamic performance as other gas-lift valves of the same type.
A study analyzing the temperature distribution along the bellows of a gas-lift valve as a function of both production and injection temperature was performed. A finite element analysis was used in order to study different cases. The results support a simple model which predicts the bellows temperature.
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