Velocity profile simulation for natural gas flow underneath waterbody following a full-bore rupture of an offshore pipeline

Abstract

This work develops a model based on principle of conservation of momentum to predict natural gas flow pattern in waterbody following an accidental release through a full bore rupture (FBR) from a submerged pipeline. The model was discretized using Finite Difference Method; Crank-Nicholson numerical technique was applied to simulate it while MATLAB 7 was used to simulate the resulting algorithm. Solutions to the model are generated at various mesh points in the computational domain to show the flow pattern at various points within the waterbody both vertically and horizontally. This model gives a good representation of the flow pattern when compared with the existing similar models, thus, the model is useful for the Accident Response Planning Unit (ARPU) in case of such disaster.