Model for simulation flow power in heavy oil conductive pipes with pseudoplastic behavior

Abstract

In the transport systems of heavy oils through conductive pipes, the need was found to model the flow power, considering the effects of mixing in laminar regime and the non-stationary nature of the fluid. In the present investigation four components were taken into account to model the flow power, the flow power due to the viscous stress of the fluid, the additional flow power due to mixing effects in the pipe, the non-stationary flow power and the flow power necessary to overcome potential energy changes. For the identification of the coefficients of the theoretical empirical model, it was experimented with temperature variations from 40 to 65 ºC, for diameters 0.2 and 0.3 m; where it was simulated taking the flow rate with the average value of 0.925, being considered a pseudoplastic fluid. The theoretical empirical model obtained simulates the flow power with an average error of 4.5%; which is recommended for the implementation in the design and energetic evaluation of crude oil pumping systems with pseudoplastic behavior and non-stationary character.