Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов (Apr 2019)

METHOD OF VIBRO-JET HYDRODYNAMIC TECHNOLOGY TO RETAIN THE FLUIDITY OF HYDROCARBON FUELS AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AT LOW TEMPERATURES

  • Anton V. Azin,
  • Evgeniy P. Bogdanov,
  • Sergey V. Ponomarev,
  • Sergey V. Rikkonen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2019/4/191
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 330, no. 4
pp. 41 – 48

Abstract

Read online

The relevance of the research is cased by the need to develop an energy-efficient way to maintain the fluidity of hydrocarbon fuels at low temperatures, at temperatures significantly lower the freezing point of the product. Under conditions of low temperatures of high latitudes of Siberia and Arctic, there are problems with the launch of power plants operating on hydrocarbon fuels and oils. Thermal and chemical methods used to preserve the fluidity of fuel, oil and coolant fluid do not provide a complete guarantee in operational preparation for operation of autonomous objects. Vibration technologies can significantly change the rheological properties of hydrocarbon fuels by creating high shear rates and hysteresis heating of petroleum products. The process of vibratory creation of high shear velocities in a continuous medium has energy costs ten times less than the thermal method for maintaining fuel flow. The low thermal conductivity of hydrocarbon fuel contributes to formation of solidified fuel near the inner walls of the tanks, which are the thermal insulation. Introducing a mechanical vibration power inside the tank, the fuel inside this system will be sufficiently liquid and ready for use on demand. The main aim of the research is to create a method for calculating heat-insulating effect of a frozen petroleum product, to determine the amount of energy required to maintain the fuel in a liquid state at different ambient temperatures. Methods: mathematical calculation of the temperature difference in the system «tank wall – layer of solidified fuel» and experimental studies of changes of rheological properties of petroleum products under the influence of a submerged vibrating confuser system. Results. The authors have proposed the engineering method for calculating frozen fuel thickness on the inner walls of the tank at negative ambient temperatures and the amount of mechanical energy required to maintain fuel fluidity.

Keywords