A viscosity correlation for mixtures of heavy oil, bitumen, and petroleum fractions

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/11280-PA· OSTI ID:6322206

Shu, W R

High viscosity is a major constraint in the recovery and transportation of heavy crudes and tar sand bitumens. Viscosity reduction may be achieved by mixing the crude with a light petroleum solvent. This paper presents a generalized correlation for calculating viscosities of such mixtures. A power-law mixing rule was generalized by use of the Einstein-type relationship for the viscosities of infinitely dilute solutions. Literature and in-house data were compiled to establish the correlation. The final correlation requires only density and viscosity of the two fluids to predict blending viscosity at any mixture composition. The correlation is tested with heavy-oil/solvent blending data and gives an excellent prediction of the blending viscosities.

• Research Organization: Mobil R and D Corp.
• OSTI ID: 6322206
• Journal Information: SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States), Journal Name: SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States) Vol. 24:3; ISSN SSPJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
023000* -- Petroleum-- Properties & Composition
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040500 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Properties & Composition
BITUMENS
CORRELATIONS
DENSITY
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
EINSTEIN COEFFICIENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MIXING
MIXTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOLVENTS
TAR
TESTING