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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Slurries and emulsions of waxy and heavy crude oils for pipeline transportation of crude oil

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5598086
The high viscosity of many asphaltic crude oils and the high pour points of many waxy crude oils present significant problems in their transportation over long distances by pipeline and tanker. While heating the oils and insulating the pipelines will help alleviate the problem, there is danger associated with an extended shutdown of flow and either congealing or solidification of the oil. A possible solution which we have studied in the laboratory is the emulsification or dispersion of the oil in water or brine so that shear takes place in the continuous aqueous phase rather than the oil droplets or particles.
OSTI ID:
5598086
Report Number(s):
CONF-860447-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English