Effect of Temperature on The Performance of Naphtha and Kerosene as Viscosity Reduction Agents for Improving Flow Ability of Basrah-Iraq Heavy Crude Oil

Abstract

Naphtha and kerosene are mixed with Iraqi heavy crude oil at different concentrations rounded between (3-12) wt.%, in order to reduce viscosity to enhance its followability. This research investigated drag reduction (%Dr) in heavy oil mixtures at different flow rates (2 to 10 m3/hr) in temperature range 20-50°C. The experimental results proved that Naphtha offered 40% reduction in pressure drop. The Power law model was adopted in this study to empirically correlate fiction factor (f) and the percentage of drag reduction (%Dr) from experimental data for Reynolds number range (534 – 14695) and the concentration range from 3 to 12 wt.%.