Settling behavior of spherical particles in fiber-containing drilling fluids

摘要: Abstract Fiber-containing fluids are utilized in many industrial applications. In the petroleum industry, fiber suspensions used to transport rock cuttings from bottom of hole surface. Moreover, fibrous applied fracturing operations proppant particles fractured space. Solids performance these largely depends on settling behavior suspended particles. This article presents results experimental and theoretical investigations conducted 2 8 mm spherical fiber-containing fluids. Experiments were carried out a 2-m long 100-mm diameter transparent cylinder. Both Newtonian non-Newtonian tested. A moving digital camera system was track particle while it settled. The records determine velocity each as function time. Fiber concentration varied 0.00% 0.08% by weight. When settles fluid, experiences drag addition conventional hydrodynamic resistance, i.e. viscous drag. Measured terminal compute component total Subsequently, applying momentum balance, acting determined Results show that is particle's projected area, velocity, coefficient, density difference between fluid particle. Using data, semi-empirical model developed predict correlation valid for both base have low concentrations fully dispersed fibers with length 10 mm 100 μm, respectively.