Our research involves comprehensive experimental studies that complement our analytical and numerical approaches. Our facilities include two laboratories: the Rusty Hut Lab, dedicated to study channel, pipe and annular displacement dynamics; and the LSK Lab houses state of the art rheometers and our experimental bubble apparatus.
Rusty Hut Lab
The Rusty Hut Lab houses our large scale experimental flow loops that we use to study fluid dynamics in various geometries.
We have 2 lab-scale annuli suitable for experimental displacements flows related to primary cementing. One is horizontal for turbulent flows and one is inclinable to any angle for laminar flows. In these we can adjust eccentricity/standoff at intervals along the loop to simulate centralizer effectiveness. One section of the laminar flow loop has a rotating inner pipe. We are able to study different irregularities, such as wavy walls, obstructions etc.
We also have single phase turbulent pipe and 2:1 channel flow loops, which have been used for LDA studies in full turbulence. Previously we have had a fully inclinable pipe for laminar displacement flows (down the casing). Finally, we have an exchange flow pipe setup that is used for understanding buoyancy driven flows of relevance to setting cement plugs.
We run experiments using transparent lab fluids with dimensionally similar rheological properties to wellbore (or other target) fluids. Generally one fluid is dyed to provide contrast and the main measurement methods are visual, with significant image post-processing. Mirror systems provide views from different angles. We have also used velocimetry techniques (UDV, LDA and PIV) but these provide local information only, which is of limited use given the scale of the setups.
LSK Lab
The Complex Fluids Lab in LSK includes 2 Kinexus rheometers from Netzsch and an extensional rheometer. Various attachments and geometries are used. We also develop our own in-house rheometry techniques.
The lab houses various benchtop experiments from collaborators, and our setups that target bubble trapping and migration in yield stress fluids. This includes 2 x 5m tall bubble columns for stratified tailings pond studies.