Stepwise mathematical derivation of the Herschel–Bulkley laminar fluid flow equations—in pipes

Abstract

Stepwise derivation of flow equations of the Herschel–Bulkley (HB) model is not available in the literature. These equations are crucial for mechanical, chemical and petroleum engineering academia and industries where fundamental works on non-Newtonian fluids may be done to reach future models and estimation methods. Therefore, this work focuses on derivation of laminar flow equations and estimation methods of HB fluids through pipes. In this work, first, stepwise derivation of the HB fluid flow parameters consisting of fluid velocity, flow rate, average velocity and relative velocity equations is presented, followed by a straightforward mathematical model for use in numerical solution. Next, stepwise mathematical derivation of the laminar pressure drop equations by Merlo et al. (An innovative model for drilling fluid hydraulics. Paper presented at the SPE Asia Pacific oil and gas conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1995) and Gjerstad and Time (SPE J 20:1–18, 2014) is presented, and finally practical and user-friendly calculation procedures for different estimation methods are presented. The step-by-step derivation procedures presented in this work contribute to effective learning for engineering students and practitioners in addition to providing a clear example derivation guideline for future researchers to reach other more accurate non-Newtonian hydraulics models and estimation methods.