Production Chemicals
Drag Reducing Agent
Lubricant Blend for ROP
Drag Reducing Agent (referred to as DRA) can be described as an ultra-high molecular weight poly-alpha-olefin in the forms of fine powder suspended in a liquid base. DRA is designed to increase flow rate or to reduce energy consumption (pressure drop) in oil pipelines by dampening the turbulent bursts.
Our DRA products have been applied in a great number of pipelines with significant drag reduction or flow increase achieved. Listed below are 7 application cases out of more than 100 cases. These 7 cases could be special ones involved with complicated/extreme pipeline operation scenarios or pipeline profiles, intended to demonstrate how DRA performs under these complicated/extreme circumstances and thus to deduce that DRA would perform much better under normal conditions.
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Product introduction
UBPro-471 is a Drag Reducing Agent (DRA in short).
▶ Designed to increase flow rate or to reduce pressure drop in the pipelines delivering crude oil.
▶ As an ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin dispersed in a non-aqueous base / carrier. Drag reduction begins as soon as DRA starts to dissolve in the hydrocarbon being delivered.
▶ When dissolved DRA product passes through a boosting pump the polymer is broken down or worn out by the shearing exerted by the boosting pump. Consequently, a multi-stationed pipeline usually requires repeated DRA injection after each boosting pump station in order to achieve overall flow increase through the whole pipeline length.
▶ It does not degrade during normal pipeline flow, but is designed to degrade when passing through mainline pumps or other high-shear regions. This shear degradation eliminates the need to process the treated oil farther downstream.
Technical Index
Appearance |
White or light Grey Liquid |
Odor |
Alcoholic (Perceptible) |
Specific gravity (20℃) |
0.85~0.90 |
Freezing Point, ℃ |
-30Min |
Flash point(Closed, ℃) |
60Min |
Viscosity, mPas@50s-1 |
400Max |
Boiling Point, ℃ |
160 (Initial) |
Applications/Functions
▶ Used in a wide ambient temperature envelope ranging from -20 to +50℃.
▶ Dissolves quickly in hydrocarbons, Increased flow rates.
▶ Extended pipeline lifespan.
▶ Reduced energy consumptions
Advantages
▲ Achieve greater than 70% drag reduction under certain conditions
▲ Low temperature(-20 ℃)：Propylene Glycol improve the fluidity of the drag reducer at low temperatures (such as preventing freezing) and enhance the overall stability of the formula.
▲ Handle and inject into the pipeline easily and with minimal safety risks
▲ Increase pipeline throughput at the same operating temperature
▲ Improves pipeline capacity without capital investment
Recommended Handling
▶ Injection rate depend on: performance required,viscosity, wax/water content of the oil, etc.
▶ The injection point is between the station the metering skid and the external pipeline enters the ground. This can avoid the shear of the external pump impeller and the flow meter’s interception and stirring action. And the drag reducing agent has enough distance to meet the requirements of dispersion time. The DRA injection skid includes injection pumps, flow meters, and pressure gauges. The pneumatic chemical agent injection pump is used to introduce the instrument wind as the power source.
▶ The recommended dosage is required for optimal results by a pilot test.
▶ All personnel handling this material must handle it as an industrial chemical, wearing protective equipment and observing the precautions as described in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Packaging and Storage
1000L IBC. Supply in other packing such as ISO tanks can be offered upon request.
Store in dry, well-ventilated area. Keep container closed. Follow safe warehousing practices regarding palletizing, banding, shrink-wrapping and /or stacking.
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How comes the Drag Force?
The oil pushes up against the inside wall of the pipe, the pipe pushes the oil back down causing a swirling of turbulence to occur which creates a drag force. When the polymer is added, it interacts with the oil and the wall to help reduce the contact of the oil with the wall.
Drag Reducer
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Drag-reducing agents (DRA)
Drag-reducing agents (DRA) or drag-reducing polymers (DRP) are additives in pipelines that reduce turbulence in a pipe. Usually used in petroleum pipelines, they increase the pipeline capacity by reducing turbulency and increasing laminar flow.
Drag Reducer
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how it works:Pipeline Drag Reducers
The evidence leans toward their effectiveness being due to high molecular weight polymers, which are long-chain hydrocarbon compounds. These polymers act as turbulence inhibitors along the pipe wall, decreasing the energy lost in turbulent activity.
pipeline booster
flow rate improver
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Selection and Application of Drag Reducers
Selecting the appropriate drag reducer requires considering multiple factors, including fluid properties (e.g., viscosity, composition), pipeline operating conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure), and environmental factors. Furthermore, the injection concentration and method of drag reducers should be optimized based on specific conditions to ensure maximum drag reduction efficiency and economic benefits.
Drag reduction
Pipeline Drag Reducers
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Flow rate improver
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Technological Developments
As pipeline transportation technology advances, research and application of drag reducers continue to evolve. Currently, researchers are working to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly drag reducers to meet the needs of various fluid types and complex operating conditions. However, the performance of drag reducers is significantly influenced by pipeline conditions, requiring field trials and evaluations to ensure their effectiveness and economic viability.
Crude
Transport
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Drag-reducing polymers
Oilfield production companies generally use external pumps and pipelines to transport crude oil. With the increase in production and corrosion of pipelines, the characteristics of pipeline systems have changed.
More oil fields use drag reducing agents in oil pipelines. Increase the transmission of crude oil pipeline by injecting drag-reducing agents. This is due to the rapid development of technology for pipelines to reduce drag and increase transmission. This can meet the needs of increasing output in a short time. And it will not increase the investment cost.
The production capacity of an oil field in the Middle East is restricted by oil pipelines. It is planned to reduce the external pressure by adopting the method of injecting drag-reducing agents to the oil pipeline. This requires scene testing in the field. To test the Drag reducing agent in this way. The premise is to first determine whether the flow state of the fluid meets the applicable range of the drag reducer. To calculate the dispersion time of the DRA. Accurately determine the injection point of the drag-reducing agent.
This causes the external pump to fail to deliver crude oil timely according to the rated volume. At present, the application of drag-reducing agents in oil pipelines is developing rapidly. In oilfield production, the injection of drag reducers is used to reduce pressure drop losses and increase pipeline output.
To date, no universal drag reducer is applicable to all types of crude oil. However, extensive research has led to several key considerations for selecting an appropriate drag-reducing agent (DRA):
Effectiveness at Low Concentrations: DRAs should be effective at minimal concentrations, as their continuous injection into pipeline fluid requires large quantities over time. A highly efficient DRA at low concentrations helps reduce capital costs while ensuring sustained performance.
Compatibility with Refinery Processes: The selected DRA should not introduce complications in downstream refining operations. Enhancing pipeline throughput is ineffective if the crude cannot be processed efficiently by existing facilities.
To date, no universal drag reducer is applicable to all types of crude oil. However, extensive research has led to several key considerations for selecting an appropriate drag-reducing agent (DRA):
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Effectiveness at Low Concentrations: DRAs should be effective at minimal concentrations, as their continuous injection into pipeline fluid requires large quantities over time. A highly efficient DRA at low concentrations helps reduce capital costs while ensuring sustained performance.
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Compatibility with Refinery Processes: The selected DRA should not introduce complications in downstream refining operations. Enhancing pipeline throughput is ineffective if the crude cannot be processed efficiently by existing facilities.
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High Molecular Weight: An effective DRA should possess a molecular weight exceeding one million grams per mole.
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Resistance to Shear Degradation: The DRA should maintain its effectiveness under shear forces encountered during transportation.
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Solubility in Pipeline Fluid: The DRA must exhibit good solubility in the transported fluid to ensure uniform distribution and optimal performance.
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Resistance to Environmental Factors: The DRA should be stable against thermal, chemical, and biological degradation to maintain its efficacy under varying operating conditions.
Resistance to Shear Degradation: The DRA should maintain its effectiveness under shear forces encountered during transportation.
Solubility in Pipeline Fluid: The DRA must exhibit good solubility in the transported fluid to ensure uniform distribution and optimal performance.
Resistance to Environmental Factors: The DRA should be stable against thermal, chemical, and biological degradation to maintain its efficacy under varying operating conditions.