The Drag Reduction Effect on the Transportation of Waxy Crude Oil under Weak Magnetic Fields

Abstract The present study investigates the transport properties of marine waxy crude oil under weak magnetization conditions. A self-designed and constructed simulation system for magnetized crude oil pipeline transportation was utilized to examine the drag reduction effect of magnetization treatment on crude oil transportation. This was achieved by measuring the pipeline pressure drop under various conditions, including different magnetization intensities, magnetization temperatures, magnetization durations, and transportation flow rates. The drag reduction rate due to magnetization is directly proportional to the magnetization intensity, magnetization duration, and flow rate, while it initially increases and then decreases with the magnetization temperature. Magnetized transportation of waxy crude oil exhibits a certain drag reduction effect, particularly when the temperature is 5-10°C below the wax appearance temperature of the crude oil, at a velocity of 2 m/s, and with a total magnetization duration of 30 minutes, achieving a drag reduction rate exceeding 10%.