The effect of a bio additive on the viscosity and the energy requirement on heavy crude oil flow

The influence of potato starch as natural additive on the flow of heavy crude oil-water in pipeline was investigated. Measured parameters were viscosity, drag, energy analysis and power requirement in a horizontal pipeline at various temperatures, flow rates and concentrations of potato starch. It was found that addition of 2000 ppm potato starch to the 85% Heavy crude oil+15% water mixture at 40°C decreased viscosity by 80.24% and head loss by 7.55 × 10− 4 m at 60 LPM. Drag reduced up to 91% and power saving increased up to 38.24% after adding 2000 ppm of potato starch to same mixture at 60 LPM.