Drag Reduction and Flow Enhancement in Iraqi Crude Oil Pipelines using PMMA polymer and CNTs

Abstract

Crude oil flowing in pipelines suffers from a problem fluid flow pressure drop and high energy consumption for fluid pumping. The flow can be enhanced using either viscosity reduction or drag reduction techniques. Drag reduction (DR) can be considered as the most effective and applicable method. Such method contributes in reducing the frictional energy losses during the flow by addition of little amounts of drag reducing agents (DRAs). The present work focuses on comparing between the effect of PMMA only and PMMA with CNT on drag reduction In order to achieve this object, an experimental rig has been designed and implemented. It should be mentioned that the ring consists of: a crude oil Perspex pipe, oil pump, pressure sensors. Two additive materials including PMMA and CNT with different concentrations have been used to reduce the drag inside the oil pipe. polymethyl metha acrylate polymer (PMMA) with different concentrations 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 mg/L. It has been shown 3000ppm is the best where the percentage of drag reduction reached to 65%. While, A mixture of CNT and PMMA with (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) mg/L are used and the results showed that 50% of DR is achieved at 2000 mg/L.