Elena Izquierdo-Kulich

Stochastic modeling of asphaltenes deposition and prediction of its influence on friction pressure drop

Abstract When dealing with heavy and extra-heavy crude oils, petroleum industry faces the deposition and incrustation of solids on pipelines walls during fluids transportation. Such a deposition phenomenon is supposed to be caused by asphaltenes aggregation. In this work, is presented a stochastic model that predicts the behavior of friction pressure drop with respect to asphaltenes concentration and the deposition and detaching velocities through the principles of fractal geometry and differential fractional calculus. Results show that at higher values of asphaltenes total concentration and deposition velocity, the friction pressure losses are also increased, which is an expected behavior because of the thickness and morphology of the asphaltenes deposited layer.

Effect of a viscosity reducer on liquid-liquid flow: III. Partial mixing on the interface

ABSTRACT In this work it is proposed a pressure drop model for some cases of a viscosity improver injection in a high viscosity fluid flow (crude oil in this case), showing the influence of the mixing between them. The predicted results suggest that it is more favorable to perform a total mixing between the crude and the enhancer, while in a partial mixing, in which the enhancer forms an emulsion with the crude.

A viscosity bio-reducer for extra-heavy crude oil

ABSTRACT Considering that high viscosity of extra-heavy crudes is related to the formation of a dispersed phase of asphaltenes, a dynamic interaction model is proposed which explains the mechanism to achieve viscosity reduction based on the molecular interacting energies between the ester active principle of a viscosity bio-reducer and the asphaltene fraction of crude oil. A qualitative comparison is made between the theoretical and experimental results observed in relation to the rheological behavior of Mexican extra-heavy crudes in the presence of the enhancer. Both, theoretical and experimental data, described a decrease in the asphaltenes dispersed fraction in relation to the ester concentration mainly because of polarity in asphaltenic crudes.

Liquid-liquid-gas stratified fractional model flow: I. Model in two parallel plates

Abstract Three phase fluid flow is a crucial subject in many industries such as chemical, oil and gas. Actually, software and empirical predictions exist for pressure drop in liquid-liquid or liquid-gas stratified flow but liquid-liquid-gas flow is not well known. Simple prediction of pressure gradient in three phase flow will lead to decisions and the use or not of robust methods for a better design of an energy efficient transportation system. This paper presents a solution for the velocity profile and pressure drop for liquid-liquid-gas flow applied in parallel plates. Also, by using fractional calculus, we show a method to determine the pressure drop in liquid-liquid-gas systems, which allows us to consider the effect of flow regime on velocity profile and pressure drop. We also propose a relationship to determine the order of fractional derivatives. This is related to the Reynolds number corresponding to each phase, which is found flowing at the specified volumetric speed. The solved unified model is useful for laminar, transient of turbulent flow.