注水潤滑による高粘度油の輸送 Water injection lubrication for pipeline flow of high viscosity oil

When heavy oil spills onto the sea surface, it forms a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion due to the action of ocean waves. This type of emulsion exhibits very high viscosity, which is problematic for pipeline transfer. It can impede flow rate and even cause clogs in the pipeline, thereby reducing the efficiency of oil recovery efforts. The viscosity of the W/O emulsion is a critical factor in determining the effectiveness of oil recovery methods.

To overcome this challenge, we have explored the use of a water injection method. With this method, a small amount of water is injected into the W/O emulsion pipeline flow. The injected water forms a thin film around the inner surface of the pipe, reducing friction loss and facilitating the transfer of the emulsion through the pipeline. Our findings suggest that this approach has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of oil recovery operations, particularly when dealing with high-viscosity W/O emulsions.