Vegetable Extract Viscosity Reducer for Heavy Crude Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing the viscosity of heavy and extra-heavy crude oils are inefficient, requiring significant amounts of diluents and not fully meeting the needs of transportation and extraction, especially in the exploitation of bituminous oils, where existing products fail to adequately address the high viscosity challenges.
Innovation Solution
A viscosity reducer composition based on vegetable extracts, including biodiesel, phosphoglyceride, vegetable oil, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, which reduces viscosity by stabilizing asphaltene molecules and reducing intra-molecular interactions, thereby minimizing diluent consumption and enhancing fluidity without using aromatic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional diluents (kerosene, diesel, aromatic solvents) are added to heavy crude oil, then viscosity is reduced, but diluent consumption increases significantly (25-65% of total volume)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the crude oil system by introducing a specific viscosity reducer composition with controlled ratios of non-aromatic solvent (60-80%), phospholipid (5-15%), vegetable oil (5-15%), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (5-15%). This chemical parameter change achieves viscosity reduction without requiring large volumes of conventional diluents
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material system combining multiple components (non-aromatic solvent, phospholipid, vegetable oil, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) that work synergistically to reduce viscosity. This composite approach is more efficient than using single-component conventional diluents, achieving better viscosity control with lower total additive volume
2Productivity
If heavy crude oil is transported via pipeline, then production and distribution are enabled, but high viscosity creates transportation difficulties and requires blending with diluents
Solution Approach 1:
The viscosity reducer is injected into the heavy crude oil before transportation, preliminarily modifying the oil's rheological properties. This preliminary action reduces viscosity in advance, enabling smooth pipeline transportation without requiring continuous diluent blending during transit
Solution Approach 2:
The viscosity reducer composition acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high-viscosity heavy crude oil and the pipeline transportation system. It facilitates smooth flow by reducing internal friction and improving fluidity, enabling transportation of oils that would otherwise be too viscous for pipeline movement
3Stability of the object's composition
If aromatic solvents are used to reduce viscosity, then fluidity improves, but the use of aromatic solvents is avoided in the invention for environmental and safety reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces persistent aromatic solvents with a biodegradable viscosity reducer composition based on vegetable oil and phospholipid derivatives. These components break down more readily in the environment, reducing long-term ecological impact while still achieving the desired fluidity improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using non-aromatic or low-aromatic components. The specific formulation with controlled aromatic hydrocarbon content (5-15% polycyclic aromatic) provides sufficient viscosity reduction while minimizing harmful aromatic solvent usage compared to conventional methods
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 achieves a viscosity reduction of 10-60% in heavy and extra-heavy crude oils, reducing diluent consumption by 5-50% and improving oil mobility, as demonstrated in various field examples, including the Orinoco Belt and Canadian Oil Sands, with effective dispersal of active components into the oil without the need for aromatic solvents.
Implementation Method 1
The viscosity reducer composition comprises non-aromatic solvent, such as biodiesel; phospholipid, such as phosphoglyceride; vegetable oil; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
Data Source
AI summary
A viscosity reducer based on vegetable extracts of natural origin is disclosed. The vegetable extracts include a mixture of phosphoglycerides and vegetable oils. A method of reducing the viscosity in heavy and extra heavy crude oil using the viscosity reducer is also disclosed. No aromatic base solvents are needed. A reduction in diluent usage is achieved using the viscosity reducer based on vegetable extracts. The viscosity reducer composition includes a mixture of phosphoglycerides, vegetable oil, non-aromatic solvent, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and stabilizer.