Hydrodynamics and energy analysis of heavy crude oil transportation through horizontal pipelines using novel surfactant

Abstract Improvement of flow properties of crude oil through pipelines, the effect of temperature, diameter, water cut, and novel extracted surfactant on pressure drop, shear viscosity was studied along with energy analysis. The impact of diameter, temperature, and the addition of novel surfactant extracted from Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) on pressure drop, shear viscosity, pumping power saving and flow increment were investigated during heavy crude oil flow in horizontal pipelines. Minimum pressure drop was observed in 0.0508 m ID pipeline owing to the collective effect of temperature and 2000 ppm Mahua during the flow of 85% heavy crude oil+15% water. Shear viscosity reduced appreciably in 0.0381 m and 0.0508 m ID pipelines after addition of 2000 ppm Mahua at a temperature of 50 °C. Maximum power saving (130.8%) was achieved and maximum flow increment of 121.8% was accomplished after addition of 2000 ppm Mahua to 85% heavy oil and 15% water mixture during its transportation in 0.0508 m ID pipeline at a 50 °C and at the rate of 7.2 m 3 /hr. The natural surfactant is substantially efficient to decrease the pumping power consumption for heavy crude oil transportation. It was concluded that the extracted novel natural surfactant is very beneficial for being used as an emulsifier, viscosity reducer, flow improver and also an alternative for the commercial surfactant.