Extra heavy crude oil viscosity and surface tension behavior using a flow enhancer and water at different temperatures conditions

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 9; no. 2; p. e12120
• Main Authors: Lam-Maldonado, Mayda, Aranda-Jiménez, Yolanda G., Arvizu-Sanchez, Eduardo, Melo-Banda, José A., Díaz-Zavala, Nancy P., Pérez-Sánchez, Josué F., Suarez-Dominguez, Edgardo J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Extra heavy crude oil; Flow enhancer; Interfacial tension; Newtonian flow; Viscosity; Viscosity; Flow enhancer; Newtonian flow; Extra heavy crude oil; Interfacial tension
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12120

Research reports reveal the importance of applying various substances to enhance extra-heavy crude oil pipeline transportation. During the crude oil conduction process, shearing occurs in the equipment and pipe accessories, producing a water-in-crude emulsion associated with forming a rigid film by adsorbing natural surfactant molecules in the droplets water, leading to increased Viscosity. This study presents the effect of a flow enhancer (FE) on the behavior of the Viscosity of an extra heavy crude oil (EHCO) and in emulsions formed with 5% and 10% water (W). The results revealed the effectiveness of the 1%, 3%, and 5% flow enhancer in lowering the Viscosity and presenting a Newtonian flow behavior which will help reduce the cost of heat treatment during the transportation of crude oil through the pipeline.