Experimental Studies on Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Crude Oil by Ultrasonic Irradiation
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HYSICAL ACOUSTICS
Experimental Studies on Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Crude Oil by Ultrasonic Irradiation Qiang Hua* Puyang Institute of Technology, Henan University, Puyang, 457000 China *e-mail: [email protected] Received November 7, 2019; revised April 27, 2020; accepted April 28, 2020
Abstract—Viscosity reduction is one of the key issues for heavy oil reservoir development and its transportation. Up to now, the mechanisms for ultrasonic viscosity reduction still remain unclear, especially for that of heavy crude oil which needs to be studied urgently. Parameters have been studied on the effect of viscosity reduction. The parameters for viscosity reduction were optimized to achieve the excellent result of viscosity reduction. Experiments show that ultrasonic irradiation leads to a substantial decrease up to 86% of the viscosity of heavy oil. As for heavy crude oil, the parameters influencing viscosity reduction are in the order of ultrasonic power output, treatment time, water cut and temperature. Ultrasonic wave has an obvious influence on quantity, magnitude, and distribution of paraffin crystals. This proves the existence of synergistic effect between ultrasonic irradiation and viscosity depressant. Ultrasonic wave has an apparent effect on viscosity reduction of heavy oil. Keywords: heavy crude oil, viscosity reduction, ultrasonic irradiation, paraffin crystals, cavitation DOI: 10.1134/S106377102005005X
INTRODUCTION Because of more heavier component, poor flow properties and high viscosity of heavy oil, many problems have appeared in production and transportation of heavy oil. Various conventional techniques such as heating and use of viscosity depressant can be used to decrease viscosity. However, these means are not always suitable, primarily because of the drawback of large cost and low efficiency. There is a renewed interest in the effect of ultrasonic wave on heavy crude oil in both academic studies and petroleum industry [1, 2], mainly as a result of the demand for clean, effective and economical method in viscosity reduction of heavy oil. The viscosity reduction of heavy oil is also an important environmental concern in petroleum industry. Ultrasound can decrease viscosity of heavy oil, production wells trend to yield more after ultrasonic irradiation. Ultrasonic waves can decrease the interfacial forces between oil and water [3] and they can enhance the oil recovery [4–6], which has been already applied in treatment of petroleum-contaminated soils [7–9]. Although ultrasound has a certain attenuation in propagation [10– 12], it does not affect the near well treatment effect of the oil well [13]. In addition, ultrasonic irradiation becomes more popular owing to its non-contamination to environment. Most studies have focused on the effects of different parameters of ultrasound [14], including ultra-
sonic frequency, ultrasonic power and treatment time on viscosity reduction of heavy oil in the transportation process. The influence of ultrasound on the quantity, magnitude, distribution of paraffin c
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