CA2427544A1 - Method of shear heating of heavy oil transmission pipelines - Google Patents
Method of shear heating of heavy oil transmission pipelines Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2427544A1 CA2427544A1 CA002427544A CA2427544A CA2427544A1 CA 2427544 A1 CA2427544 A1 CA 2427544A1 CA 002427544 A CA002427544 A CA 002427544A CA 2427544 A CA2427544 A CA 2427544A CA 2427544 A1 CA2427544 A1 CA 2427544A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pipeline
- temperature
- heavy oil
- oil
- shear heating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 34
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 title description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 claims description 37
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000008186 active pharmaceutical agent Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000003085 diluting agent Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical group 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethane Chemical compound CC OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-butane Chemical compound CCCC IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 claims 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims 2
- NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N isobutane Chemical compound CC(C)C NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- -1 ethylene, propylene Chemical group 0.000 claims 1
- 125000000383 tetramethylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 claims 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000010426 asphalt Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000020169 heat generation Effects 0.000 description 3
- OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Pentane Chemical class CCCCC OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003502 gasoline Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001273 butane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
- F17D1/00—Pipe-line systems
- F17D1/08—Pipe-line systems for liquids or viscous products
- F17D1/16—Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity
- F17D1/18—Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by heating
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L53/00—Heating of pipes or pipe systems; Cooling of pipes or pipe systems
- F16L53/30—Heating of pipes or pipe systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Pipeline Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A method aid apparatus for transporting heavy oil in a pipeline using shear heating. Shear heating provided by external friction or internal friction acts to heat the heavy oil to increase or maintain the temperature of the heavy oil as it flows through the pipeline.
The pipeline may be designed to enhance shear heating.
The pipeline may be designed to enhance shear heating.
Description
Inventor: PEItRY, GLEN F.
Title: l~~IETHOD OF SHEAR HEATING OF HEAVY OIL T1~ANS1VIISSION
PIPELINES
Field of the Invention The Invention relates to the field of oil and gas. In particular, the l:nvention, in one embodiment, is a method of using shear heating effect for the long distance pipeline transportation of heavy oil.
Background of the Invention The state of the prior art can be summarized by the following quotation, taken from a paper presented in the October 26, 1998, issue of the Oil and Gas Journal. The paper is called "Drive to produce heavy cnzde prompts variety of transportation methods", by 1~.
Gustavo, H. J. Rivas Nunez and D. D. Joseph. The statement is as follows:
"It is important to note that the external heating of the oil can be partially frustrated by heat losses from the pipe walls when the flow velocity is low... Heat losses will always occur and the heating method can work only (emphasis added) when the oil is reheated in the pumping stations. Direct fired heaters are generally used to raise the oil temperature; they can be natural gas or fuel fared."
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the Invention to overcome limitations in the prior art.
It has been found that it is possible to design a long distance, non-insulated, heavy oil transmission pipeline that can be heated using a principle referred to here as shear heating. This principle refers to the fact that, using appropriate design factors, the temperature in the pipeline will naturally (without the injection of heat) increase above ground temperature, and will remain at this elevated state, even when the line is not insulated. The increased temperature shows a benefit in reducing the viscosity of the heavy oil, and thus allowing for greater throughput at a lower power requirement. The temperature can be controlled by varying the design choices of line diameter, station spacing, operating pressure range and the viscosity specification of the transported oil at ambient temperature.
These and other objects and advantages of the Invention are apparent in the following description of embodiments of the Invention, which is not intended to limit in any way the scope or the claims of the Invention.
l3escription of the Invention The following described embodiments of the Invention display preferred methods but are not intended to limit the scope of the Invention. It will be obviou;9 to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and essential elements of the Invention.
For heavy oil and bitumen oil involved in long distance pipeline transportation, the designed viscosity specification of oil pipelines is usually met by blending the heavy oil with a lighter hydrocarbon compound. l~latural gasoline, pentanes plus or naphtha is traditionally used because of their low vapor pressure. Traditional oil pipelines operate with a low vapor pressure restriction, close to ambient pressure, in order to maximize their capacity. This restricts the choice of blending compounds to CS+ or heaviier.
For example, an older pipeline with a maximum operating pressure ("MOP") of 80C) psia, operating down to 25 Asia, has 775 psi.a of useful pressure drop betwf;en pump stations to define the throughput. Raising the minimum pressure to 150 psia would reduce throughput significantly. Increasing the maximum pressure to 925 psia would reestablish the lost capacity, however this is not possible with an existing line already operating at MOP.
When designing a new line, the minimum and maximum operating pressure can be designed so that the shear heating effect, which permits this Invention's benefits, can be predicted and controlled and the range of available blending compounds used to vary the base heavy oil or bitumen oil viscosity for transport is broadened. The new line could, for example, range between 1400 psia and 150 Asia, allowing for both a greater oil velocity between stations and a higher vapor pressure limit.
With a minimum vapor pressure limit of 150 Asia, a new pipeline can use hydrocarbon compounds lighter than natural gasoline for blending, such as ethane, propane or butane. This has an advantage in areas such as Alberta, Canada, where the available supply of CS+ is limited, and thus carries an economic penalty as a diluent, while the available supplies of C2, C3 and C4 are plentiful, and can be purchased for a discount relative to the value of the commodities at the destination of the pipeline.
The resulting system has a pressure drop of 1250 psia between stations, sufficient to generate the shear heating effect.
The shear heating effect is initiated by two factors. The first is the small temperature increase that occurs in the pump through friction, as the o:il is increased in pressure. This is dependent on the pressure rise and tends to increase the oil temperature
Title: l~~IETHOD OF SHEAR HEATING OF HEAVY OIL T1~ANS1VIISSION
PIPELINES
Field of the Invention The Invention relates to the field of oil and gas. In particular, the l:nvention, in one embodiment, is a method of using shear heating effect for the long distance pipeline transportation of heavy oil.
Background of the Invention The state of the prior art can be summarized by the following quotation, taken from a paper presented in the October 26, 1998, issue of the Oil and Gas Journal. The paper is called "Drive to produce heavy cnzde prompts variety of transportation methods", by 1~.
Gustavo, H. J. Rivas Nunez and D. D. Joseph. The statement is as follows:
"It is important to note that the external heating of the oil can be partially frustrated by heat losses from the pipe walls when the flow velocity is low... Heat losses will always occur and the heating method can work only (emphasis added) when the oil is reheated in the pumping stations. Direct fired heaters are generally used to raise the oil temperature; they can be natural gas or fuel fared."
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the Invention to overcome limitations in the prior art.
It has been found that it is possible to design a long distance, non-insulated, heavy oil transmission pipeline that can be heated using a principle referred to here as shear heating. This principle refers to the fact that, using appropriate design factors, the temperature in the pipeline will naturally (without the injection of heat) increase above ground temperature, and will remain at this elevated state, even when the line is not insulated. The increased temperature shows a benefit in reducing the viscosity of the heavy oil, and thus allowing for greater throughput at a lower power requirement. The temperature can be controlled by varying the design choices of line diameter, station spacing, operating pressure range and the viscosity specification of the transported oil at ambient temperature.
These and other objects and advantages of the Invention are apparent in the following description of embodiments of the Invention, which is not intended to limit in any way the scope or the claims of the Invention.
l3escription of the Invention The following described embodiments of the Invention display preferred methods but are not intended to limit the scope of the Invention. It will be obviou;9 to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and essential elements of the Invention.
For heavy oil and bitumen oil involved in long distance pipeline transportation, the designed viscosity specification of oil pipelines is usually met by blending the heavy oil with a lighter hydrocarbon compound. l~latural gasoline, pentanes plus or naphtha is traditionally used because of their low vapor pressure. Traditional oil pipelines operate with a low vapor pressure restriction, close to ambient pressure, in order to maximize their capacity. This restricts the choice of blending compounds to CS+ or heaviier.
For example, an older pipeline with a maximum operating pressure ("MOP") of 80C) psia, operating down to 25 Asia, has 775 psi.a of useful pressure drop betwf;en pump stations to define the throughput. Raising the minimum pressure to 150 psia would reduce throughput significantly. Increasing the maximum pressure to 925 psia would reestablish the lost capacity, however this is not possible with an existing line already operating at MOP.
When designing a new line, the minimum and maximum operating pressure can be designed so that the shear heating effect, which permits this Invention's benefits, can be predicted and controlled and the range of available blending compounds used to vary the base heavy oil or bitumen oil viscosity for transport is broadened. The new line could, for example, range between 1400 psia and 150 Asia, allowing for both a greater oil velocity between stations and a higher vapor pressure limit.
With a minimum vapor pressure limit of 150 Asia, a new pipeline can use hydrocarbon compounds lighter than natural gasoline for blending, such as ethane, propane or butane. This has an advantage in areas such as Alberta, Canada, where the available supply of CS+ is limited, and thus carries an economic penalty as a diluent, while the available supplies of C2, C3 and C4 are plentiful, and can be purchased for a discount relative to the value of the commodities at the destination of the pipeline.
The resulting system has a pressure drop of 1250 psia between stations, sufficient to generate the shear heating effect.
The shear heating effect is initiated by two factors. The first is the small temperature increase that occurs in the pump through friction, as the o:il is increased in pressure. This is dependent on the pressure rise and tends to increase the oil temperature
2 by about 1-2 degrees Fahrenheit. The second is the heat generated by internal shear friction within the oil as it flows through the pipeline. This shear friction translates into heat. When the sum of these two heat inputs exceeds the ability of the non-insulated pipe to radiate heat to the surrounding ground, the temperature of the oil will continuously increase until an equilibrium temperature is reached, where the heat generation is equal to the heat loss. As the temperature of the oil rises, the viscosity and internal shear friction reduces and therefore the shear friction heat generation reduces. Also, as the temperature rises, the heat loss to the environment increases with the difference in temperature between the oil and the environment.
For some of the designs, the net temperature increase can add upwards of 1 degree Fahrenheit for every 10-20 miles of distance, with an equilibrium temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rather than wait for this effect to slowly heat the oil as it travels down the pipelir3e, and be limited in pipeline capacity by the operating conditions over the initial distance traversed, one design using or embodying the invention would include a heater at the front end of the pipeline, so that this target equilibrium temperature was induced in the oil being injected into the pipeline at the outset. In this fashion, the equilibrium temperature (and other operating factors) would be maintained throughout the pipeline systf;m.
In the event that the equilibrium temperature exceeds a maximum design temperature limit, dictated by other factors such as environmental impact, external coating, or steel expansion, the oil can be cooled by the use of low cost aerial radiators or similar coolers at selectively spaced pump stations. This is possible because the heating effect is quite gradual, usually taking several pump stations to rise by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
The key contributing factors to the shear heating effect are summarized below:
1. The higher the oil viscosity, the greater the internal shear friction and the more heat is generated. This shear heating effect is not seen with normal light and medium gravity oil as the viscosity within the transport system is too low.
The upper limit on viscosity on long distance pipelines specifically designed for heavy oil will usually be dictated by the pipeline's shut down condition. The oil must be able to move after an extended shut down, when it has cooled to the ambient temperature. This would, for example, prevent pure bitumen with a viscosity of 250,000 ep at 50 degrees Fahrenheit from being used, and would dictate the need
For some of the designs, the net temperature increase can add upwards of 1 degree Fahrenheit for every 10-20 miles of distance, with an equilibrium temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rather than wait for this effect to slowly heat the oil as it travels down the pipelir3e, and be limited in pipeline capacity by the operating conditions over the initial distance traversed, one design using or embodying the invention would include a heater at the front end of the pipeline, so that this target equilibrium temperature was induced in the oil being injected into the pipeline at the outset. In this fashion, the equilibrium temperature (and other operating factors) would be maintained throughout the pipeline systf;m.
In the event that the equilibrium temperature exceeds a maximum design temperature limit, dictated by other factors such as environmental impact, external coating, or steel expansion, the oil can be cooled by the use of low cost aerial radiators or similar coolers at selectively spaced pump stations. This is possible because the heating effect is quite gradual, usually taking several pump stations to rise by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
The key contributing factors to the shear heating effect are summarized below:
1. The higher the oil viscosity, the greater the internal shear friction and the more heat is generated. This shear heating effect is not seen with normal light and medium gravity oil as the viscosity within the transport system is too low.
The upper limit on viscosity on long distance pipelines specifically designed for heavy oil will usually be dictated by the pipeline's shut down condition. The oil must be able to move after an extended shut down, when it has cooled to the ambient temperature. This would, for example, prevent pure bitumen with a viscosity of 250,000 ep at 50 degrees Fahrenheit from being used, and would dictate the need
3 for some blending. In the following examples, a 75%/25% bitumen-to-condensate blend is assumed. This blend has an assumed viscosity of 310 cp at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 108 cp at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the shutdown condition is not a key design feature, because the cool down time is so long that pipeline startup can be guaranteed within the time window, then even higher viscosity oils can be assumed and the shear heating effect is increased.
2. The higher the velocity and pressure drop per unit distance, the greater the heat generation. For practical applications, this means that the pipeline must be in turbulent flow or partially turbulent flow. The high velocity is achic;ved byutilizing a large pressure drop between pump stations, and in using relatively tight station spacing. The following example assumes a pump station outlet of 1400 psia, a pump station inlet of 150 psia, and station spacing between 60 and 120 miles.
The resulting velocity is 4-10 feet per second.
3. The greater the pipe diameter, the greater the ratio between oil volume (radius squared) and heat radiating surface area (radius). The following example assumes three pipe sizes of 24", 30" and 36" diameter. The ~fect is seen to be greater with the larger diameters.
2. The higher the velocity and pressure drop per unit distance, the greater the heat generation. For practical applications, this means that the pipeline must be in turbulent flow or partially turbulent flow. The high velocity is achic;ved byutilizing a large pressure drop between pump stations, and in using relatively tight station spacing. The following example assumes a pump station outlet of 1400 psia, a pump station inlet of 150 psia, and station spacing between 60 and 120 miles.
The resulting velocity is 4-10 feet per second.
3. The greater the pipe diameter, the greater the ratio between oil volume (radius squared) and heat radiating surface area (radius). The following example assumes three pipe sizes of 24", 30" and 36" diameter. The ~fect is seen to be greater with the larger diameters.
4. The equilibrium temperature is very sensitive to the ground thermal conductivity. Typical North American soil conditions range from 0.6 to 0.9 BTU/ft-degree F-hour in the summer and 0.8 to 1.1 in the winter. The following example is based on 0.9 for summer conditions, which would represent a wet, clay-like soil, with about the highest heat conductivity of all soils expected to be encountered. The equilibrium temperature would be higher with more typically dryer or insulating soils.
The impact of higher oil temperature on pipeline capacity is to reduce the viscosity of the oil. With all else being equal (minimum and maximum pressure, line size, station spacing, elevation), at similar throughput, this viscosity reduction reduces the pressure drop between stations. Alternatively, at a similar pressure drop between stations, this viscosity reduction allows for an increase in throughput. The increase in throughput for the 60-mile station spacing bettueen using the referenced oil blend at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 310 cp and in using the referenced oil blend at 130 degrees Fahrenheit and 28 cp is approximately 40%. This requires a 40% increase in pump horsepower, however all the other aspects of the system remain the same. As the pump station horsepower represents about 25% of the total system capital and operating cost, one achieves 140% of the throughput at 110% of the cost. The unit cost of transportation reduces by about 21 (30/140). This is one measure ofthe economic value of the invention.
All aspects of the Invention may be comprised of any suitable material or methods, including but not limited to: pipeline greater than 300 miles in length; oil which has an API gravity of less than 26 degrees API; oil temperature more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the ground temperature; temperature maintained without the use of external heating except at the initiation station; use of aerial coolers to keep the oil below the maximum operating temperature.
Figure One (1) displays the results from a hydraulic simulation of am embodiment of the Invention.
In the foregoing descriptions, the Invention has been described in known embodiments. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the broader scope and spirit of the Invention.
Accordingly, the present specifications and embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
The descriptions here are meant to be exemplary and not limiting. It is to be understood that a reader skilled in the art will derive from this descriptive material the concepts of the Invention, and that there are a variety of other possible implementations;
substitution of different specific components for those mentioned here will not be sufficient to differ from the Invention described where the substituted components are functionally equivalent.
The impact of higher oil temperature on pipeline capacity is to reduce the viscosity of the oil. With all else being equal (minimum and maximum pressure, line size, station spacing, elevation), at similar throughput, this viscosity reduction reduces the pressure drop between stations. Alternatively, at a similar pressure drop between stations, this viscosity reduction allows for an increase in throughput. The increase in throughput for the 60-mile station spacing bettueen using the referenced oil blend at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 310 cp and in using the referenced oil blend at 130 degrees Fahrenheit and 28 cp is approximately 40%. This requires a 40% increase in pump horsepower, however all the other aspects of the system remain the same. As the pump station horsepower represents about 25% of the total system capital and operating cost, one achieves 140% of the throughput at 110% of the cost. The unit cost of transportation reduces by about 21 (30/140). This is one measure ofthe economic value of the invention.
All aspects of the Invention may be comprised of any suitable material or methods, including but not limited to: pipeline greater than 300 miles in length; oil which has an API gravity of less than 26 degrees API; oil temperature more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the ground temperature; temperature maintained without the use of external heating except at the initiation station; use of aerial coolers to keep the oil below the maximum operating temperature.
Figure One (1) displays the results from a hydraulic simulation of am embodiment of the Invention.
In the foregoing descriptions, the Invention has been described in known embodiments. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the broader scope and spirit of the Invention.
Accordingly, the present specifications and embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
The descriptions here are meant to be exemplary and not limiting. It is to be understood that a reader skilled in the art will derive from this descriptive material the concepts of the Invention, and that there are a variety of other possible implementations;
substitution of different specific components for those mentioned here will not be sufficient to differ from the Invention described where the substituted components are functionally equivalent.
Claims (28)
1. A method of transportation of heavy oil in a substantially underground pipeline by increasing or maintaining the temperature of the heavy oil within the pipeline using shear heating.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shear heating is provided by external friction within a pump.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the shear heating is provide by internal shear friction within the flow of the heavy oil.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pipeline is substantially non-insulated or poorly insulated.
5. The method in claim 1, wherein the heavy oil has an API gravity of less than 26 degrees API.
6. The method of claim 1, where shear heating acts to raise the temperature of the heavy oil at a rate designed to substantially match, within desired parameters, the effect of pipeline conditions in lowering the temperature of the oil, to produce an equilibrium oil temperature.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the equilibrium oil temperature, defined as substantially the asymptote of the temperature versus time graph, averaged over substantially the length of the pipeline is at least about 15°F (8.3°C) above the average ground temperature at the pipeline's operating condition.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of heating the heavy oil to substantially the equilibrium oil temperature before using shear heating for increasing or maintaining the temperature of the heavy oil.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the pipeline comprises a feature for increasing shear heating.
10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the feature comprises a section of reduced pipeline diameter, a flow restriction, a mixer, internal blades or vanes, an uncoated pipeline wall, a roughened pipeline wall, or a combination thereof.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein the heavy oil is cooled to keep the heavy oil substantially at or below a selected temperature.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the selected temperature corresponds substantially to the design and temperature limits of the pipeline.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the design temperature limit of the pipeline is selected on the basis of an external coating temperature limit or an environmental design temperature limit.
14. The method of claim 1, where the shear heating in at least a segment of the pipeline is controlled by controlling the pressure drop of the heavy oil within the pipeline, wherein a larger pressure drop yields more shear heating of the heavy oil.
15. The method of claim 1, where the shear heating is tailored for at least a segment of the pipeline by tailoring flow velocity and pressure drop within the segment (assuming no change to other inputs such as constitution of heavy oil, starting temperature and pressure, pipeline diameter and environmental conditions), the flow velocity and/or discharge pressure being tailored by adjustment of pump horsepower and pump operating pressure range.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the pipeline has a length of at least 160 miles (266 km) (i.e, the pipeline is a "long-haul" pipeline).
17. The method of Claim 16, wherein the pipeline has a length of at least 300 miles (500 km).
18. The method of claim 1, wherein selected portions of the pipeline are thermally insulated to reduce heat loss in the selected portions.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selected portions comprise river crossings, surface projections (expansion loops, surface valves or piping, meter stations, etc.), or regions where the ground has a higher thermal conductivity (e.g. wet soil).
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the heavy oil comprises a blend or mixture of heavier oil and a diluent.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the diluent is a hydrocarbon having five or fewer carbon atoms.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the diluent is a hydrocarbon having six or more carbon atoms.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the diluent is selected from a group of high (>atmosphere) vapor pressure products comprising, ethane, propane, n-butane, i-butane, ethylene, propylene and butylene.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein the heavy oil has an API gravity of less than about 26 degrees API.
25. A method of selecting the route of a substantially non-insulated substantially underground pipeline in order to facilitate a shear heating effect, comprising the steps of:
a) assessing a plurality of possible routings, considering at least one detracting factor, the at least one detracting factor known to effect or at least partially overcome the shear heating effect in achieving or maintaining the pipeline's equilibrium temperature;
and b) selecting one of the plurality of possible routings based on the minimization or reduction in the at least one detracting factor.
a) assessing a plurality of possible routings, considering at least one detracting factor, the at least one detracting factor known to effect or at least partially overcome the shear heating effect in achieving or maintaining the pipeline's equilibrium temperature;
and b) selecting one of the plurality of possible routings based on the minimization or reduction in the at least one detracting factor.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one detracting factor is selected from the group of ground thermal conductivity, river crossing required, or surface projections (expansion loops, surface valves or piping, meter stations, etc.).
27. The method of claim 26, wherein underground moisture affects the ground thermal conductivity.
28. A pipeline for transporting heavy oil, the pipeline adapted to benefit from shear heating, the pipeline having a maximum operating pressure (MOP) greater than about 800 psia, an operational average pressure drop greater than about 10 psi/mile, and a equilibrium oil temperature, defined as substantially the asymptote of the temperature versus time graph, averaged over substantially the length of the pipeline, of at least about 15°F (8.3°C) above the average ground temperature, at the pipeline's operating condition.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002427544A CA2427544A1 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-05-02 | Method of shear heating of heavy oil transmission pipelines |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002427544A CA2427544A1 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-05-02 | Method of shear heating of heavy oil transmission pipelines |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2427544A1 true CA2427544A1 (en) | 2004-11-02 |
Family
ID=33315231
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002427544A Withdrawn CA2427544A1 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-05-02 | Method of shear heating of heavy oil transmission pipelines |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2427544A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112113067A (en) * | 2020-09-01 | 2020-12-22 | 张金鑫 | Pipeline is used in oil development transportation with prevent viscous jam structure |
-
2003
- 2003-05-02 CA CA002427544A patent/CA2427544A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112113067A (en) * | 2020-09-01 | 2020-12-22 | 张金鑫 | Pipeline is used in oil development transportation with prevent viscous jam structure |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6095240A (en) | Quadruple heat exchanger | |
| US9316098B2 (en) | Non-hydraulic fracturing and cold foam proppant delivery systems, methods, and processes | |
| US20070089785A1 (en) | Method of shear heating of heavy oil transmission pipelines | |
| Zerpa et al. | Hydrate risk assessment and restart-procedure optimization of an offshore well using a transient hydrate prediction model | |
| US6962054B1 (en) | Method for operating a heat exchanger in a power plant | |
| US20130192838A1 (en) | Non-hydraulic fracturing systems, methods, and processes | |
| GB2444882A (en) | Hydraulic friction fluid heater and method of using same | |
| EA021714B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for continuous heated water flow for use in hydraulic fracturing | |
| Farzaneh-Gord et al. | Investigation of hydrate formation in natural gas flow through underground transmission pipeline | |
| AU2014251274B2 (en) | Non-hydraulic fracturing and cold foam proppant delivery systems, methods, and processes | |
| USRE27309E (en) | Gas in | |
| US5896896A (en) | Method of transporting a fluid in a pipeline having a porous structure | |
| CA2427544A1 (en) | Method of shear heating of heavy oil transmission pipelines | |
| US20040173164A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for heating a liquid storage tank | |
| US3256705A (en) | Apparatus for and method of gas transportation | |
| Ajienka et al. | Criteria for the design of waxy crude oil pipelines: maximum pump (horsepower) pressure requirement | |
| Escojido et al. | Part 1: Transportation of heavy crude oil and natural bitumen | |
| RU2124160C1 (en) | Method of transportation of non-newtonian paraffin-containing hydrocarbon fluid via pipe line | |
| Gerez et al. | Heavy oil transportation by pipeline | |
| AU2013274971B2 (en) | Using wellstream heat exchanger for flow assurance | |
| Elhaj et al. | Production optimization of hydrocarbon reservoirs by entropy generation minimization | |
| Soliman Sahweity | Hydrate Management Controls In Saudi Aramco’s Largest Offshore Nonassociated Gas Fields | |
| Rubel et al. | Flowline insulation thermal requirements for deepwater subsea pipelines | |
| AU2013274973B2 (en) | Heat exchange from compressed gas | |
| Yu et al. | Study on low flow rate operating characteristics of hot waxy crude oil pipelines based on an unsteady-state calculation method |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| AZWI | Withdrawn application |