New Ideas of Drag Reduction for Heavy Oil Flow Using Aqueous Foam

doi:10. 3863/j. issn. 1674 – 5086. 2013. 03. 025

Abstract

Abstract:

According to the fact that the productivity of foamy oil is several times higher than that of normal crude oil，and
microbubbles can reduce the frictional drag of the turbulent boundary layer，a new solution is proposed for drag reduction of
heavy oil flow through boundary layer isolation and lubrication with aqueous foam，which is called as oil-foam core annular
flow（OFCAF）. Based on the systemic analysis of relevant studies at home and abroad，the drag reduction effectiveness of
the oil flow through annular water，microbubble and aqueous foam is discussed；the major problems of the oil-water core
annular flow are analyzed，and the feasibility of the OFCAF in horizontal and vertical pipes is also analyzed theoretically. The
results show that drag reduction of heavy oil flow by OFCAF could be feasible in theory，and the implementation of OFCAF
in vertical pipes such as wellbore or deep-water riser pipe is easier. The eccentric problem of the oil-water core annular flow
in a horizontal pipe will be solved in the next step. Furthermore，an adaptive foam system should be screened according to the
stability requirement of the OFCAF，which could relieve the oil-water emulsification and oil adhesion on the pipe wall and thus
improve the lubricity of pipe surface and increase the stability of the OFCAF. However，some related problems still need to be
investigated intensively before the actual application of drag reduction by OFCAF.

Jing Jiaqiang1, Dai Kemin1, Li Ye1, Ming Liang1, Tang Hao2. New Ideas of Drag Reduction for Heavy Oil Flow Using Aqueous Foam[J]. 西南石油大学学报(自然科学版), DOI: 10. 3863/j. issn. 1674 – 5086. 2013. 03. 025.

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