Abstract

PIEDRA, Viviana et al. Viscosity Study in a Crude Oil Additive with Dispersants and Asphaltene Solvent. Rev Politéc. (Quito) [online]. 2020, vol.46, n.2, pp.7-20. ISSN 2477-8990.  https://doi.org/10.33333/rp.vol46n2.01.

In Ecuador, increasing quantities in the extraction of heavy crude oil has brought concern in the industry. Due to its viscous nature. This oil presents difficulties in transportation and refining. The objective of this project is the reduction of viscosity of this type of oil, that is extracted from the Ecuadorian Amazon and it is to be transported within a pipeline. The reduction in viscosity will be obtained from dispersing compounds and solvents in the oil example. To do this, viscosity reducers that had a solvent, dispersant or inhibitor effect on asphaltenes are selected and classified using their resulting FT-IR spectra. The change in physical and chemical properties of the crude oil is analyzed with the selected reducers. Four tests are carried out: a) test to determine the viscosity; b) analysis S.A.R.A .; c) oliensis test; d) test to determine API gravity. Finally, evaluation of crude oil transportation easiness is carried out in a pipeline bank that imitates crude oil transport through a pipeline. Through the classification and selection of the reducers. Three additives used for the tests are chosen: M01-X, M02-A and M03-S. The first two are classified as asphaltene solvents and the last one as an asphaltene dispersing. Regarding the evaluation of the change in crude oil properties. The best result is obtained with the additive "M01-X" with a viscosity reduction percentage of 65.0%, increase in the flow rate of the crude oil from 1.24 to 2.01 ( mL / s). As an alternative to this reducer, a better result is obtained with the mixture formed by two additives (M02-A + M03-S) with a percentage reduction in viscosity of 69.0% and an increase in flow rate to 2.72 (mL / s).

Keywords : additive; asphaltenes; pipeline; viscosity.

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