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How to Reduce the Viscosity of Crude Oil in a Pipeline Ion Beam

Oil viscosity is a problem for the energy industry because high viscosity reduces pipeline transportation speeds especially for deepwater pipes. The result is increased time to market for oil supplies which could ultimately increase the price in periods of high demand. However, technology emerged that uses ion beams to reduce viscosity and increase transportation speeds. It has the added benefit of improving fuel economy and the refinement process.

Things You'll Need

Magnetorheological fluid
Heavy oil
Pipe or container
Surficant
Burner or heater
UL adapter
Capillary viscometer

Instructions

- 1
  Gather a magnetorheological fluid (a special liquid with a magnetic field) filled with iron particles. Mix the fluid in a container or pipe with heavy oil that you wish to reduce in viscosity. The fluid can be obtained via scientific supply firms.
- 2
  Add a small amount of surfactant to disperse the iron particles among the oil.
- 3
  Heat the mixture to about 23.5 degrees Celsius with a burner or heater.
- 4
  Apply a UL adapter to the mixture to point ion beams into the fluid. Continue pulsing for approximately five minutes with a power of 0.15 Teslas.
- 5
  Poor the liquid into a capillary viscometer to measure the new viscosity which is significantly reduced from the initial level.

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