Title : Numerical modelling of polymer drag reduction for efficient transportation of high-viscosity crude oil in pipelines
Abstract:
The transportation of high-viscosity crude oil through long-distance pipelines is often associated with significant pressure losses, high hydraulic resistance, and increased energy consumption. One of the effective approaches to improving pipeline transportation efficiency is the use of drag-reducing polymer additives, which can suppress turbulent structures and reduce friction losses in the near-wall region of the flow. This study presents a numerical approach to modelling non-isothermal turbulent flow and heat transfer of high-viscosity oil with a polymer drag-reducing additive in a pipe.
The research is based on the formulation of a mathematical model describing turbulent momentum and heat transfer in a high-viscosity fluid flow with a polymer additive. The rheological behaviour of the polymer-containing fluid is represented using the FENE-P model, which allows the viscoelastic effect of stretched polymer macromolecules in turbulent flow to be considered. The numerical methodology includes the development of a computational algorithm and software for solving the governing equations of motion, heat transfer, and turbulence characteristics. The model was verified through comparative calculations with available numerical and experimental data for turbulent viscoelastic flows.
The results of the study demonstrate that the addition of a small amount of polymer additive can significantly affect the structure of turbulent flow by reducing Reynolds stresses, suppressing near-wall turbulent fluctuations, and decreasing hydraulic resistance. Comparative calculations for non-isothermal turbulent oil flow in trunk pipelines show that the proposed model can be used to estimate the influence of flow regime parameters on velocity, temperature, friction coefficient, and heat transfer characteristics. The developed software framework also provides a basis for determining optimal additive dosage under pipeline operating conditions.
The practical significance of the study lies in improving the energy efficiency of crude oil transportation in main pipelines. The proposed modelling approach can support the selection of drag-reducing additive concentrations and operating conditions aimed at reducing hydraulic resistance, increasing pipeline throughput, and lowering energy costs during the transportation of high-viscosity oil.
