Polymeric Nanoemulsion Drag Reduction in Multiphase Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drag reducing agents for hydrocarbon fluids face issues such as cold flow, irreversible degradation under shear, high viscosity, and emulsion formation, making them inefficient and costly for use in multiphase oil and gas production systems, particularly in subsea pipelines.
Innovation Solution
Development of polymeric nanoemulsions with a hydrocarbon external phase and water-soluble polymer droplets in an aqueous internal phase, stabilized by surfactants, which have a particle size below 200 nm, allowing for low viscosity and storage stability, enabling effective drag reduction in multiphase flowlines without specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If polymeric drag reducing agents are ground into particles to prevent cold flow, then particle stability is improved, but the polymer undergoes irreversible degradation reducing drag reduction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and size parameters of the polymer by creating nanoemulsion droplets (10-200 nm) containing polymeric drag reducing agents. This nanoscale dispersion prevents cold flow while minimizing shear degradation that occurs with larger particles, thereby maintaining polymer integrity and drag reduction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants as intermediary substances to stabilize the nanoemulsion droplets containing the polymeric drag reducing agents. The surfactant layer prevents particle aggregation and cold flow without requiring mechanical grinding that would degrade the polymer, thus preserving drag reduction efficiency
2Ease of operation
If gel or solution drag reducing agents are used to achieve smooth flow, then ease of injection is improved, but specialized injection equipment and pressurized delivery systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the drag reducing agent into a nanoemulsion form with droplet sizes of 10-200 nm, which provides rheological properties enabling pumpable flow without requiring specialized injection equipment. The nanoscale dispersion achieves a balance between fluidity for easy injection and simplicity of delivery systems
3Reliability
If high concentration polymer solutions are used to maximize drag reduction, then drag reduction effectiveness is improved, but viscosity increases requiring up to 90% inert carrier fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes nanoscale emulsification (10-200 nm droplets) to achieve high polymer concentration (15-50 wt%) without the viscosity penalty of conventional solutions. The nanodispersion provides sufficient fluidity for easy pumping and transportation while maintaining high drag reduction effectiveness, eliminating the need for large volumes of inert carrier fluid
4Reliability
If conventional emulsion polymers are used for drag reduction, then drag reduction is achieved, but viscosity is too high for umbilical injection and phase separation occurs during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the emulsion droplet size to the nanoscale (10-200 nm), which fundamentally changes the rheological and stability properties. The nanoemulsion achieves low viscosity suitable for umbilical injection and enhanced storage stability without phase separation, while maintaining drag reduction performance through the presence of polymeric drag reducing agents within the droplets
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 polymeric nanoemulsions achieve significant drag reduction and increased flow rates with reduced pressure drop, maintaining stability and low viscosity across a wide temperature range, suitable for umbilical injection and subsea applications, thereby enhancing oil and gas production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one surfactant of a kind and amount effective to form a stable nanoemulsion of the water-soluble polymer droplets in the hydrocarbon external phase
Implementation Method 2
to reduce the drag of a fluid flowing through a conduit... to reduce the drag reducing agents or DRAs... to reduce the drag of multiphase flowlines
Data Source
AI summary
Polymeric nanoemulsions facilitate flow and reduce drag and friction in multiphase pipelines containing both oil and water (e.g., oil/water, oil/water/gas, oil/water/solids, and oil/water/gas/solids) such as are used for oil or gas production, gathering, and transmission; hydrotransport of oilsand or heavy oil slurries and the like. Specific examples of suitable drag reducing polymers include polyacrylamide. The emulsions have a hydrocarbon external phase, droplets of an aqueous internal phase having water-soluble polymer dissolved therein, where the droplets have an average particle size below about 200 nm, and at least one surfactant to form a stable nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsions advantageously have a low viscosity of about 200 cP or less.