Mechanical Effects on the Physical Properties of Highly Viscous Crude Oil

The possibilities of decreasing the viscosity of highly viscous crude oil in preparation for transport in pipelines were investigated. On heating in the 25-28.6°C range, the viscosity of crude oil decreases from 70 to 26.5 mPa·sec with expended energy of 513 kJ/m3. The energy expenditures decrease by two orders of magnitude with a similar decrease in the viscosity by mechanical pressure, and by three orders of magnitude in stirring by rotation. This is due to total conversion of kinetic rotational energy into energy for rupture of structural bonds in the highly viscous crude, which also decreases its viscosity.