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Replies to post #43602 on QS Energy Inc (QSEP)
ABSTRACT
We demonstrate that the cold flowability of the waxy crude oil can be significantly improved via electrical treatment. A novel apparatus was assembled to electrically treat the waxy crude oil while simultaneously measuring its rheological properties. A method was developed to calculate the oil’s viscosity by using non-Newtonian fluid mechanics and rheological principles. Lower treatment temperatures, higher electric field strengths, and lower shear rates provided greater viscosity reduction. Notably, a viscosity reduction of 70% was obtained when the oil was electrically treated near its pour point for 90 s. Microscopic examinations indicate that the broader size distribution of wax particles in the treated oil might be responsible for the observed viscosity reduction. Besides, the energy consumption of the electrical treatment was estimated to be less than 1% of that of the conventional heating method to achieve the same viscosity reduction performance.
CONCLUSIONS
We assembled a novel apparatus to electrically treat the waxy crude oil and developed a method to calculate the viscosity variation during the treatment by using non-Newtonian fluid mechanics and rheological principles. Lower treatment temper- atures, lower shear rates, and higher electric field strengths provided higher viscosity reduction. This viscosity reduction might be caused by a broader wax crystal size distribution in the oil after the treatment. A viscosity reduction of 70% was obtained after the crude oil was electrically treated at 18 °C and 0.8 kV/mm for 90 s. Moreover, the electrical treatment was estimated to consume less than 1% of the energy assumption associated with heating to achieve the same viscosity reduction performance. These findings demonstrate that the electrical treatment might be an efficient and economical technology for improving the cold flowability of waxy crude oils.
We are also very excited by opportunities in Asia, having recently reopened discussions with an Asian crude oil company with prior experience testing AOT equipment in the field. Although these discussions are early stage, we have provided a draft LOI and hope to move quickly based on their experience and familiarity with QS Energy and our technology.
Abstract
The aim of the present work is to reduce the viscosity of Iraqi heavy crude oil to enhance its flowability in pipelines. This has been done by applying an effective electrical field through design and implementation of an invented capacitor. In order to attain this objective; an experimental rig has been built. It consisted of: a crude oil pipe, a novel parallel plate capacitor, an oil pump, a solenoid valve, a viscometer, and a control unit (relay, voltage regulator, rectifier, timer, and digital voltmeter). The experimental work was performed according to central composite rotatable design for three operating variables: treatment time (0–60 s), applied voltage (140–220 v), and space between capacitor electrodes of (2–10 cm). The optimum conditions were obtained using STATISTICA and WinQSB softwares. At optimum conditions, locally prepared nanosilica has been employed with different concentrations (0–700 mg/L) to show its effect on crude oil viscosity in the presence of an electrical field impact. The results showed that the viscosity was reduced significantly with increasing treatment time, voltage, and distance between electrodes. The Minimum viscosity obtained was at 32 s treatment time, 188 V, and 6.11 cm distance between capacitor electrodes. This represented the optimum conditions with a minimum viscosity of 20.479 cSt. Afterwards, the viscosity increased due to particles aggregation. At optimum conditions the fluid flow characteristics obtained were: 2630.93, 0.4089 gm/cm2, 0.2657 gm/cm2, and 57.059 W S, for Reynolds number, shear stress, pressure drop, and power consumption, respectively. The experimental results proved that the invented capacitor offered a good reduction in viscosity and a good saving in power of 37% at optimum con- ditions achieved at 10 ± 2 C. The nanosilica optimum concentration was 100 mg/L that gave a minimum vis- cosity of 12.8 cSt with a reduction percentage and power saving of 60.6%. The viscosity reduction has lasted for 11 h.
Conclusions
From the obtained results it can be concluded that the electric field proved to be a very effective method for viscosity reduction suitable for Iraqi heavy crude oil. The electric field processing technology consumes very little energy resulting in a high energy saving for pumping; also the flow rate of crude oil in pipelines subjected to electrical field treatment is greater than that without treatment. The experimental measurement of viscosity processed with electrical field method at low temperatures confirmed the effectiveness of the treating method even with lower climate temperatures. The innovative design of the perforated parallel plate's capacitor achieved a best reduction in the viscosity of Iraqi crude oil. It enabled the micro and nano size particles to arrange in short chains and allowed the layers of liquid to slide over each other in a regular form, diminished the turbulence and friction with internal pipe walls. The addition of nano silica particles in very low concentrations together with the electric field contributed significantly to crude oil viscosity reduction because of high dielectric, but at greater concentrations increased the viscosity. Thus it can be concluded that the nano silica treated viscosity, when added in a few percentages. Finally, electric field with a novel capacitor design can reduce the viscosity of heavy crude oil in few sec- onds lasting for several hours.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express grateful thanks to The Iraqi Min- istry of Oil/Oil Pipelines Company for the financial support in accor- dance with graduate research (grant No. 2/2016).
While our efforts are tightly focused on executing our pilot program strategy, conversations continue with prospective customers in the Gulf Coast, Canada, and the Middle East.
