Drag-Reducing Agent Testing Loop Bench for Crude Oil Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently testing and evaluating the performance of different proportions and types of drag-reducing agents in crude oil transportation pipelines, while ensuring safety, reducing costs, and minimizing waste and test space.
Innovation Solution
A crude oil transportation drag-reducing agent testing loop test bench is designed, comprising a gas supply and pressurization system, a pressurized storage tank system, a pipeline testing system, a reflux and circulation system, a valve switching system, a heating and insulation testing system, and a sensor testing system, along with a data acquisition and control system and a safety protection system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pipeline testing devices are used to evaluate drag-reducing agents, then basic performance testing can be conducted, but the ability to comprehensively inspect and evaluate different proportions and types of drag-reducing agents is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The test bench is designed with multiple testing loops of different pipe diameters (φ6.35mm, φ12.7mm, φ25.4mm) that can be switched between, allowing the same system to evaluate drag-reducing agents across various pipeline scales. The system integrates multiple functions including pressure regulation, flow control, temperature control, and data acquisition into a single unified platform, enabling comprehensive evaluation of different drag-reducing agent formulations without requiring separate testing equipment for each condition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive testing of different drag-reducing agents is conducted, then performance evaluation is improved, but testing costs and waste liquid production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a reflux tank and pump that enable the test medium to be circulated back through the testing loops repeatedly. After each test sequence, the drag-reducing agent solution can be recovered from the reflux tank and reused in subsequent tests after appropriate preparation, significantly reducing the consumption of expensive drag-reducing agents and minimizing waste liquid disposal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop reflux system allows the test medium to continuously circulate through the testing loops rather than being discarded after single-use tests. The gear pump maintains continuous circulation of the test medium, enabling multiple test runs with the same drag-reducing agent formulation, thereby extending the useful life of each agent sample and reducing overall material consumption.
3Measurement precision
If multiple testing loops with different parameters are used, then comprehensive performance data is obtained, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into three independent but interchangeable testing loops, each optimized for specific pipe diameter ranges. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive testing capabilities across different pipeline scales while maintaining a compact overall structure. Each loop can be independently configured and tested, reducing the space required compared to a single large-scale testing system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple testing loops with different pipe diameters are merged into a single integrated test bench sharing common infrastructure including the pressure buffer tank, reflux system, heating apparatus, and data acquisition system. This consolidation achieves comprehensive testing capabilities across multiple pipe sizes while minimizing the total space occupation by eliminating redundant support systems for each individual loop.
4Reliability
If pressure buffer tanks and reflux systems are added, then testing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure buffer tank with nitrogen pressurization provides automatic pressure stabilization for the test medium without requiring continuous external intervention. The reflux pump automatically circulates the test medium back through the testing loops, and the heating system maintains constant temperature conditions. These self-regulating components improve testing reliability by maintaining stable operating conditions while adding minimal operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure buffer tank acts as an intermediary between the nitrogen pressurization system and the testing loops, smoothing out pressure fluctuations and providing stable pressure conditions for accurate drag-reducing agent evaluation. The reflux tank serves as an intermediary storage point that enables continuous circulation of the test medium, decoupling the testing process from direct material consumption and simplifying the overall material flow management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively evaluates the performance of drag-reducing agents, ensuring safety, reducing testing costs, minimizing waste and test space, and allowing for the testing of frictional resistance, drag-reducing rate, and flow increase rate in pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
a gas supply and pressurization system
Implementation Method 2
a heating and insulation testing system
Data Source
AI summary
A crude oil transportation drag-reducing agent testing loop test bench and its use method is provided. The test bench includes a gas supply and pressurization system, a pressurized storage tank system, a pipeline testing system, a reflux and circulation system, a valve switching system, a heating and insulation testing system, and a sensor testing system. The test bench can evaluate the performance of drag-reducing agents in transportation pipeline devices within a laboratory setting, and further inspect, evaluate, and test the effective performance of different proportions and types of drag-reducing agents. The test bench also ensures the safety of experimental test, reduces testing costs, avoids the production of large amounts of waste liquid, and minimizes test space.