A Computational Model for Drilled Cutting Transport in Air (or Gas) Drilling Operations

The hydrodynamics of isothermal, one-dimensional gas-solids suspension is theoretically analyzed. A computational model is developed. The model is applied in predicting the pressure drop distribution in air-sandstone mixture flows through a vertical annular space (simulating the flow stream between a bore hole and a drill pipe). The model can be applied to any isothermal, one-dimensional flow of gas-solid suspension. The numerical results are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data collected from studies done on drilled cutting carrying capacity of air in air-drilling operations.