INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PARAMETERS ON PRESSURE DROP REDUCTION IN CRUDE OIL PIPELINES BY DRAG REDUCING AGENTS H.R. KARAMI, D. MOWLA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTRE IN PETROLEUM AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERING, SHIRAZ UNIVERSITY, SHIRAZ, IRAN

IKMAL HAKIM LATIP (ME088967) ADAM ABDUL HADIE BIN ABDL JALIL (EE091743)

Investigation of the effects of various parameters on pressure drop reduction in crude oil pipelines by drag reducing agents ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of various parameters on pressure drop reduction caused by adding small amounts of drag reducing polymers has been investigated in crude oil pipelines. In order to make a comprehensive analysis of various operating parameters such as temperature, oil flow rate, pipe diameter, pipe roughness, type of drag reducing agent (DRA), and concentration of DRA, some experiments have been carried out with several concentrations of three different DRAs in four different operating temperatures. The obtained results indicate that the amount of drag reduction increases with temperature, oil flow rate, pipe roughness as well as DRAs concentration. The DRA1 causes the highest drag reduction. Also, the experiments showed that DR% increases with decreasing pipe diameter. Hence, the ability of DRA increases with the relative roughness of pipes.

KEYWORDS Drag reduction, Polymers, Turbulence, Non-Newtonian fluids, Fluid flow Type of Abstract Informative Length 130 Words – Single paragraph

REASON FOR WRITING The research is important in order to create an efficient system whereby crude oil pipelines would have a better flow rate due to the application of the Drag Reducing Agent (DRA).

PROBLEM To reduce the energy required to pump. Pressure drop and head loss reductions determines the energy needed to pump through the pipelines.

METHODOLOGY Analysis of various operating parameters such as temperature, oil flow rate, pipe diameter, pipe roughness, type of drag reducing agent, and concentration of drag reducing agent. The controlled variables in the experiment are the several concentrations of three different DRAs in four operating temperatures.

RESULTS The results indicate that the amount of drag reduction increases with temperature, oil flow rate, pipe roughness as well as DRAs concentration. DRA1 causes the highest drag reduction. As the pipe diameter decreases, the drag reduction increases.

IMPLICATION In order to improve on the experiment, instead of using temperature, pipes relative roughness, flow rate, DRA concentration, or DRA specifications, future research could be done for not only industrial applications, but for housing applications as well. Water pipelines, sewage, and etc.

CONCLUSION The research done has successfully proven that drag reducing agents do, in fact, improve the flow rate. Though that might not be the only parameters that does so. Other controlled variables causes the same effect and to replicate and maintain the ideal conditions in real life applications would be impossible. Therefore, design precautions will need to be taken in order to apply it efficiently. As for the abstract of the journal itself, it has done it’s job in order to assimilate the readers in understanding the purpose of the research.