Pressure propagation and flow restart in the multi-plug gelled pipeline

An understanding of pressure propagation mechanisms is crucial in finding suitable conditions for the temporary storage, transmission and attenuation a large signal multi-plug gelled pipeline. The current work investigates transient flow start pipeline, filled with weakly compressible, thixotropic waxy crude oil. A gel can form either naturally or artificially. We solve time-dependent mass momentum conservation equations gas phase together shear-history-dependent constitutive model to capture phenomena. advection equation traces motion gel–gas interface using volume fluid method. results this show that first plug compresses it. compressed further pocket, which delays downstream gel. delay through second creates high-pressure gradient plug. faster degradation Degraded offers substantially lower resistance flow, allowing steeper assists breakage next sequential breakage. This allows restart long also indicate compressibility pocket dominates overall system, controlling both flow-restart time.