Flow improvement and viscosity reduction for crude oil pipelines transportation using dilution and electrical field

Abstract EN

One of the great challenges in pipeline transportation of heavy crude oil is the effect of viscosity on flow rate.

by using viscosity reduction techniques, crude oil flow ability can be enhanced.

however, the dual effect of dilution and electric fields on crude oil flow ability is still not well addressed.

the main goal of this study is to reduce viscosity and improve the flow rate of heavy crude oil through pipelines using dual techniques of electrical field and dilution.

the optimization technique was used to investigate the interaction effects of experimental variables on the objective function.

as compared to crude oil treated solely by dilution or electrical field, the dual treatment could result in more substantial reductions in viscosity.

in this experiment, at first, the dilution's impact is studied.

acetone was used as a diluent in different concentrations.

the great viscosity reduction is about 21.98% when adding 20 wt.

% of acetone.

secondly, when the effect of the electric field has been studied, a reduction in viscosity of about 35.6% was observed when 36.67 (v / cm) is applied.

lastly, the effect of combined treatment (dilution and electric field) has been investigated according to factorial design.

the optimum viscosity reduction is about 61.856% at 11 wt.

% acetone and 36.67 (v / cm) of the electric field.