Application of Solar Energy in Pipeline Transportation of High-Wax Crude Oil

For pipeline transportation of high-wax crude oil, heating and pressurization are universally employed process methods. Pipeline stations located in wilderness and desert areas possess abundant solar energy resources, with some even having surplus solar energy. This study innovatively proposes utilizing electricity generated from these idle solar resources to directly drive pump units. This creates a green throughput enhancement system based on “light-electricity-flow” synergy, aiming to address the energy consumption for heating and pressurization during transportation, particularly for pipelines requiring increased capacity. Domestically, chemical drag reducers are mostly used for throughput enhancement, presenting the dual challenges of high cost and significant pump energy consumption. By establishing a dynamic matching model for photovoltaic (PV) output and pipeline flow rate, combined with optimization based on the rheological properties of waxy crude oil, this system achieves efficient transportation without drag reducer additives. Deployment of a 10 MW PV system in an area with an annual solar irradiation of $1600 \mathrm{kWh} / \mathrm{m}^{2}$ can achieve a $12.7 \%$ throughput increase, replacing traditional drag reducers. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) drops to $0.38 \mathrm{RMB} / \mathrm{kWh}$, representing a $34.2 \%$ energy saving compared to grid power supply. Techno-economic analysis confirms an investment payback period of approximately 10 years. For a pipeline with an annual throughput of 5 million tons, this system enables an annual reduction of 106, 500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. It provides a replicable, zero-carbon paradigm for throughput enhancement in crude oil pipelines located in solar-rich regions.