Vibrational Analysis and Optimization of a Water Injection Pipeline in a High-pressure Plunger Pump

Abstract

The vibration of water injection pipeline systems in oilfields creates challenges in terms of safe long-term operation. To fully understand the vibration mechanism of plunger-powered high-pressure water injection pipelines, we conducted fluid pressure pulsation calculations and fluid structure coupling modal evaluations using finite element analysis software to study the effects of pressure, pipe length, and pipe clamp on the vibrations. The results indicate that the total displacement increases with increasing pressure, although the magnitude of the increment gradually decreases. The pipe length has a significant impact on the natural frequency. Based on the findings of the present study, we proposed that pipe clamps could be introduced to reduce the vibrations in an existing high-pressure plunger pump water injection pipeline, and the overall design was optimized. Comparative modal analysis revealed the most practical number and position of the pipe clamps to be suitable for a pressure range of 42–70 MPa.

Keywords

• high-pressure water injection pipeline
• pipeline vibration
• modal analysis
• pipe clamp
• vibration reduction optimization