Ultrasonic and heat treatment of crude oils

Abstract

One of the methods of influence on rheological properties of heavy high-viscosity crude oils is ultrasonic treatment. Ultrasonic treatment allows reducing the viscosity of crude oil and, therefore, reducing the costs of its production and transportation. In this paper, the influence of ultrasonic treatment on the rheological characteristics of crude oil (sample No. 1 API = 29.1, sample No. 2 API = 15.9) was investigated. An experimental method was developed. Experimental studies were carried out using the Physica MCR 102 rheometer. The influence of the intensity and duration of ultrasonic treatment on the viscosity of the initial crude oils was studied for 24 h. In addition, the rheological characteristics of the treated oil were investigated after its natural cooling to 293 K. The results are compared with similar results for thermal heating.