Core Annular Flow (CAF) Modelling as a Breakthrough to Improve the Transport of Heavy Oils Using Water as Lubricant and Saving Energy

Abstract

Transportation of heavy oil by pipeline faces several problems, such as asphaltene clogging, wax deposition, and large pumping power. The objective of this research is to develop Core Annular Flow (CAF) as an effective method solution to reduce operational costs, which technology has not been widely applied to the oil and gas industry in the world. The method used is a simulation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). CAF modeling shows the oil flow using water as a lubricant and the oil is not in contact with the inner wall of the pipe, so the friction force is proportional to the force that occurs when only water flows in the pipe. The results show pressure drops and pumping power can be reduced by up to 50%. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out to see the absolute pressure, velocity, and volume fraction. The analysis was also carried out to compare the required pump power between the CAF and the single-phase oil flow.