PARTICLE-SCALE SIMULATION OF THE SEDIMENTATION AND FILTRATION OF DRILLING FLUIDS USING THE DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a computational code based on Discrete Element Method (DEM) to simulate the process of solid particles sedimentation and fluid filtration in drilling operations. For both phenomena, the adequate knowledge of the properties and characteristics of the underlying particulate systems represents an aspect of fundamental importance for the safe and efficient design of new drilling fluids and equipment. In this context, this paper presents a particle-scale simulation study, based on DEM, to describe the mechanics of cake formation and growth during the deposition of particulates. Three dimensional (3D) simulations of both processes were carried out to evaluate the proposed algorithm. The cake and the sediment properties, such as thickness, porosity and permeability were quantified and compared, qualitatively and quantitatively, to literature data. The cake properties obtained in this work showed good agreement with data found in similar conditions.