electric field suppressed turbulence and reduced viscosity of paraffin based crude oil sample

1. Abstract Flows through pipes, such as crude oil through pipelines, are the most common and important method of transportation of fluids. To enhance the flow output along the pipeline requires reducing viscosity and suppressing turbulence simultaneously and effectively. Unfortunately, no method is currently available to accomplish both goals simultaneously. Here we show that Electrorheology provides a universal method and efficient solution which was confirmed by SANS and DOE pipeline testing. When a strong electric field is applied along the flow direction in a small section of pipeline, the field polarizes and aggregates the particles suspended inside the base liquid into short chains along the flow direction. Such aggregation breaks the rotational symmetry and makes the fluid viscosity anisotropic. In the directions perpendicular to the flow, the viscosity is substantially increased, effectively suppressing the turbulence. Along the flow direction, the viscosity is significantly reduced; thus the flow along the pipeline is enhanced. Recent laboratory experimental tests and field tests with a crude oil pipeline fully confirm the theoretical results. The technology consumes very little energy and will be very useful for both off-shore and on-shore crude oil production and transportation about three paraffin based crude oil samples, HAW, KHU, NAPD, from Saudi Aramco. 2. Keywords: Crude Oil; Electric Field; Energy Security; Pipeline; Reduce Viscosity; Suppress Turbulence