SINTEF

SINTEF is one of Europe's largest research institutes, with multidisciplinary expertise within technology, natural sciences and social sciences. SINTEF is an independent foundation which, since 1950, has created innovation through development and research assignments for business and the public sector at home and abroad.

SINTEF Multiphase Flow Laboratory is one of the world's largest multiphase test facilities and a research Infrastructure of national importance. We provide world leading expertise within multiphase technology and a wide range of excellent experimental facilities for R&D applications as well as testing and verification of equipment and technologies required for the energy transition. The laboratory is associated to the Process Technology Department.

The Large Scale Loop is an industrial-sized three-phase flow laboratory. The capabilities cover a wide range of industry conditions to allow studies of all major flow challenges during production. This test facility, the largest of its kind, has been the foundation for development in subsea oil and gas production in cold environments and over long transportation distances (See the film). The facility process equipment allows flexibility to accommodate customized testing geometries that differ to the standard pipe configuration.

The Medium Scale Loop is located indoor in a 60 m long laboratory hall. This is a 3-phase flow test facility that includes an 11 m³ separator that provides long retention times so that less easily separable fluids, such as viscous oils can be used. In addition, by using SF6 as the gas phase, gas densities equal to that of methane at 88 bar can be reached. The use of crude oils with flash point higher than ambient temperature can be tested allowing testing closer to field conditions.

The use of actual hydrocarbons breaks an important barrier enabling studies of complex chemistry-dependent phenomena. SINTEF's Small Scale Real Crude laboratory allows work on high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) fluids. The test loop consists of a 50m long 1in pipe which can be pressurized up to 100bar, and temperature-controlled room from -10ºC to +50ºC.

This test facility consists of a steel pipe manufactured as closed hoop. The wheel is installed in vertical orientation and mounted on a shaft, which is rotated by an engine. The flow is driven by gravity; thus, no pump or compressor is required. The fluids inside the wheel "see" an endless pipe through which they flow as multiphase mixture. All wheels are equipped with a torque sensor. Visual observation is possible for individual wheels. Placed in a climate chamber, temperature can be controlled precisely.

	Large Scale Loop	Medium Scale Loop	Small Scale Loop	Wheel Flow Loop
Possible investigation areas	Three-phase flows	Three-phase flows + solids (sand)	Three-phase flows + solids (hydrates, etc.)	Three-phase flows + solids (hydrates, etc.)
Max operating pressure [bara]	90	10	100	1000
Min operating pressure [bara]	5	atmospheric	atmospheric	atmospheric
Typical temperature range [deg C]	10 to 50	5 to 50	-10 to 50	-10 to 80
Line sizes [inch]	4", 8" and 12"	2.5", 3" and 4"	1" and 2"	2" and 5"
Horizontal line length [m]	50-800	50	50	6.3 (circular)
Inclinations [deg]	0, 0.5, 1, 90	-4 to 4	0 to 90	N/A
Vertical line length [m]	55	35	2	N/A
Max flow rate (gas) [m3/s]	1500	160	3	36
Max flow rate (oil) [m3/s]	480	80	5	36
Max flow rate (water) [m3/s]	200	120	5	36
Oil	Refined oil, crude oil (no precipitates)	Exxol D80 (any non-flammable HC)	Any crude or model oil	Any crude or model oil
Water	Fresh water/brine pH>10	Fresh water	Any water chemistry	Any water chemistry
Gas	Nitrogen (any inert gas)	Sulphur hexafluoride (any inert gas), air	Any (excl. H2S)	Any (excl. H2S)

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