TACITE is a transient multicomponent multiphase flow simulation tool for the design and control of oil and gas pipelines and production wells. It is able to accurately predict the propagation of liquid slugs that occur during transient flow conditions in a multiphase pipeline, as are created during flow rate changes, pipeline depressurization, shutdown and startup operations or variations in pipeline topography. Using a rigorous multicomponent compositional tracking methodology, phenomena such as the accumulation of heavier components at the low points in the pipeline profile can also be predicted.
A unique tool for economical pipeline design or definition of safe operational guidelines, TACITE has the ability to predict slug flow characteristics during transient flow conditions. It is tightly integrated with the PIPEPHASE multiphase network simulator under a common graphical user interface, enabling the user to select a particular section of a steady-state network model as an initial state for subsequent transient analysis.
• Improve pipeline system design
• Reduce facilities capital expenditures
• Improve flow assurance
• Increase oil well production
Applications
• Design of production networks
• Severe slugging in pipeline risers
• Terrain induced slugging
• Well shutdown/restart
• Pipeline startup/shutdown
• Production allocation
• Pigging analysis
• Component tracking
• Production allocation
• Multiphase pumping
• Insulation design
• Hydrate formation prediction
• Flow assurance studies
Features
• Compositional, empirical and tabular properties
• Component lumping
• Rigorous hydrodynamic model
• Hydrates module
• Heat Transfer
• Equipment - Multiphase Pump, Separator, - Valve, Relief Valve, Injector, Pigging, - PID Controller
• Well module
Hydrodynamic Model
TACITE rigorously solves the mass conservation laws for each fluid component along with the momentum and energy balances for the multiphase mixture. Hydrodynamic closure is achieved through a mechanistic flow pattern-dependent slip model that has been extensively validated with field and experimental data. This approach tracks variations in the fluid composition and phase behavior along the pipeline for changing inlet fluid conditions and elevation during unsteady-state flow.
Fluid Thermodynamic Properties
For rigorous compositional analysis, TACITE is integrated with an optimized thermodynamic flash package that computes three-phase vapor-oil-water equilibrium and associated fluid properties. Alternatively, TACITE can interpolate internally generated or external third-party fluid property tables and also supports traditional empirical property prediction methods.
Component Lumping
TACITE provides the ability to lump the full component slate to a reduced set of pseudo-components for optimizing computational efficiency while retaining a high level of accuracy in phase equilibrium and fluid property predictions. Components may also be clustered into pre-defined groups.
Pigging Model
The pigging model in TACITE accounts for the effects of pipe wall shear and leakage along with the weight of the pig. In addition to the size and characteristics of the leading liquid slug, the model predicts the changing pressure profile while the pig is in the line as well as the subsequent period while the pipeline stabilizes to steady-state.
Severe Slugging
Severe slugging is a periodic phenomenon that generally occurs in pipeline risers due to a temporary blockage of flow. Liquid in the pipe accumulates at the base until the entrance to the riser is blocked. The subsequent buildup in pressure eventually forces the growing liquid slug out of the riser and onto the platform processing facilities. TACITE rigorously models the various stages of this cyclic process, including the effect of countercurrent flow (liquid fallback in the riser) during slug build-up.
INDUSTRIES:
• Exploration & Production
• Natural Gas Transmission
• Engineering & Construction