Drag Reducing Polymer for Heavy Crude Oil Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymeric drag reducers are ineffective in crude oils with low API gravity and high asphaltene content, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to pressure drops during pipeline transportation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer with at least 10,000 repeating units and a heteroatom into liquid hydrocarbons with high asphaltene content, specifically designed to maintain or increase viscosity and reduce pressure drop in pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional polymeric drag reducers are used in crude oils with low API gravity and high asphaltene content, then pressure drop is reduced in normal crude oils, but the drag reducers become ineffective in heavy crude oils with high asphaltene content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the molecular weight parameter of the polymer drag reducer to ultra-high molecular weights (exceeding five million), which enables the polymer to maintain effectiveness in high-asphaltene crude oils where conventional lower molecular weight polymers fail. This parameter change transforms the polymer's interaction with asphaltene-containing crude oils, allowing it to suppress turbulent eddies and reduce pressure drop even in these challenging conditions.
2Productivity
If higher flow rates are desired through the pipeline, then throughput is increased, but more pressure must be applied due to increased pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of turbulent flow and associated pressure drop into a beneficial situation by using ultra-high molecular weight polymers to suppress turbulent eddies. The polymers exploit the turbulent flow conditions themselves to achieve drag reduction, allowing higher flow rates to be maintained at lower pumping pressures. The turbulent flow that normally causes energy loss is transformed into an opportunity for the polymer to exert its drag-reducing effect.
3Loss of energy
If molecular weight of polymer additive is increased to improve drag reduction, then drag reduction effectiveness is enhanced, but solubility in crude oil may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully optimizing the molecular weight parameter to ultra-high levels (exceeding five million) while maintaining solubility in crude oil. This specific parameter range enables the polymer to achieve maximum drag reduction effectiveness while remaining sufficiently soluble in the crude oil to function properly. The parameter change represents a precise optimization point where both drag reduction and solubility requirements are satisfied simultaneously.
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 solution effectively reduces pressure drop and enhances flow rates in pipelines carrying heavy crude oils with low API gravity and high asphaltene content, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The role of these additives is to suppress the growth of turbulent eddies, which results in higher flow rate at a constant pumping pressure
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of the repeating units comprise a heteroatom
Data Source
AI summary
A process for preparing a drag reducing polymer which is to be added to a liquid hydrocarbon. The liquid hydrocarbon has an asphaltene content of at least about 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26°. The drag reducing polymer can comprise the residues of a monomer having at least one heteroatom. Treatment of the liquid hydrocarbon with the drag reducing polymer allows a reduction in pressure drop associated with turbulent flow of the liquid hydrocarbon through a conduit.