Research on heat transfer characteristic of waxy crude oil during the gelatinization process in the floating roof tank

Abstract

By means of additional specific heat capacity and momentum source terms methods, the heat transfer characteristic of waxy crude oil during the gelatinization process in the floating roof tank is investigated by numerical simulation. A new kind of division method for the cooling based on the heat transfer mechanism and behavior is proposed. Special concern is taken on the evolution of gelatinization structure and its relationship with the temperature profile. The gelatinous crude oil first generates in the bottom corner of the tank, and there is always the position where the thickest gelatinization layer locates. The integrated gelatinization layer first generates on the top wall, and then it covers the sidewall. The gelatinization interface is not a plane and variates as the cooling proceeds. The temperature profile is constituted by three low temperature regions near walls and a high temperature region in the center of the tank. Moreover, the evolution of temperature profile, positions with the maximal and minimal temperature, as well as the heat transfer coefficient near walls is illustrated in detail. In addition, the effect from environment temperature and oil property on the gelatinization process is also discussed.