Dynamical Properties of Omani Crude Oils for Flow Through a Vertical Annulus and a Cylindrical Pipe

Abstract

We have initially investigated the temperature dependence of density and viscosity of a number of crude oils, collected from various hydrocarbon reservoirs in Oman. The measured data are then utilized to investigate the flow dynamics of these hydrocarbon fluids under gravity and applied pressures at various temperatures. We have modeled the flow of the various crude oil samples through a vertical (a) annulus and (b) cylindrical pipe - all treated within the Newtonian fluid flow approximation of a laminar flow - to investigate the flow properties of these samples. A computer program is developed so that the temperature dependence of the fluid flow distinctly separates the laminar mode from a turbulent mode with respect to Reynolds numbers within the ranges Re<2000 and Re>2000. The adopted models of the velocity profiles, mass rate of flow and viscous force on the solid surface are not novel, but the present calculations aim to specifically use the various Omani crude oil samples with various AIP values; the calculated results shed some light on the dynamics of these specific samples within Newtonian approximation. The measured physical properties and the subsequent calculations of the relevant dynamical properties might be useful for various purposes e.g. extraction and transportation of crude oils through pipes.