03/04/2014
Energy Optimization Through the Accurate Injection of Drag Reducing Agent into Pipelines
Ignacio Huidobro
CLH has been using drag reducing agents (DRA) since 1989.
Gel-type flow improver was the first used, before moving onto water-based additive in 1997. From 2004, alcohol-based DRA has been used.
The DRA is a polymer that reduces the friction into pipeline, thereby increasing the flow rates and saving costs.
g
V
D
Lfh f
2
2
Reduction of the friction factor.-
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25
% DR
ppm
Reduction of the friction factor.
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
AESOPAssesment of energysaving in oil pipeline
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
ppm
Reduction of the friction factor.% DR
AESOPAssesment of energysaving in oil pipeline
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25 ppm
Reduction of the friction factor.% DR
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25
54%
18 ppmppm
Reduction of the friction factor.% DR
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25
54%
ppm
Reduction of the friction factor.
18 ppm
% DR
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25 ppm
%fr = F(ppm, Re)
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
Reduction of the friction factor.% DR
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
€/m3
ppm
Electricity cost
DRA cost
Flow = 350 m3/h
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
€/m3
ppm
Electricity cost
DRA cost
Energy cost = electricity + DRA
Flow = 350 m3/h
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
€/m3
ppm
Electricity cost
DRA cost
Flow = 700 m3/h
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
€/m3
ppm
Electricity cost
DRA cost
Energy cost = electricity + DRA
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
Flow = 700 m3/h
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
€/m3
ppm
Energy cost = electricity + DRA
Energy cost = electricity + DRA
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
€/m3
ppm
Energy cost = electricity + DRA
Energy cost = electricity + DRA
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
4,66 7,81
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25 ppm
Reduction of the friction factor.
Energy cost = Electricity cost + DRA cost
% DR
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25 ppm
Optimal curve
Reduction of the friction factor.
Energy cost = Electricity cost + DRA cost
% DR
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25 ppm
Reduction of the friction factor.
Energy cost = Electricity cost + DRA cost
Optimal curve
% DR
Maximum % f reductionLow Re
Minimum % f reductionHigh Re
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0 5 10 15 20 25 ppm
Reduction of the friction factor.
Energy cost = Electricity cost + DRA cost
% DR
4,66 7,81
Q=700 m3/hRe=144.000
Q=350 m3/hRe=72.000
Energy cost =Electricity cost + DRA cost
2012 2013
7,9 %9,3 %
Lower activity
Energy cost optimization
Millionsof euros
SAVINGS
of CLH
Reduction of theenergy cost
Many thanks
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