Analysis of Drag Reducing Agents for Use at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Site at West Hackberry, Louisiana

摘要

An analysis method for evaluating the use of polymeric drag reducing agents (DRA) within the Strategic Petroleum Reserve brine disposal pipelines has been formulated. This method is based upon a detailed flow model describing the flow of solutions with DRA through the brine pipeline at West Hackberry, Louisiana. The verification of this model is confirmed by the Southwest Research Laboratory data. This model indicates that the drag reduction effect is dependent on polymer solution type and concentration as well as the fluid wall shear stress and the pipe roughness. For the West Hackberry pipeline, it is projected that a 20% flow increase is attainable with the best polymers. Further drag reducing agent tests are proposed to allow a more accurate prediction of flow improvement. 12 refs., 21 figs., 3 tabs. (ERA citation 10:029803)