Transport of Heavy Oil by Applying of Solar Energy

Abstract

Crude oil is considered the main source of energy worldwide. Important problems faced by oil transportation methods are spills and unintended releases. Therefore, most technological developments in the field of transportation methods are aimed at reducing emissions, improving efficiency or preventing spills and leaks. Pipeline systems are the safest, most efficient and economical way to transport crude oil. The transportation process suffers from serious problems, such as: asphaltene and paraffin interacting with the structure damages it, pressure drop in the pipes and high energy consumption during pumping. One of the most important economic tasks when transporting oil through a pipeline is to maintain fluidity and reduce the pressure drop along the pipe. This article highlights the latest and most effective development methods that were used to increase the fluidity of crude oil in pipelines, and also examines the possibilities of reducing energy costs for transporting heavy oils and hydraulic resistance of pipelines by creating intermediate solar station devices consisting of a parabolocylindrical concentrator with a tracking system and a solar panel with a converter that increase the safety and environmental friendliness of oil transportation by reducing the risk of accidents. The intermediate solar station uses a renewable energy source and is clean from an environmental point of view, since it does not produce harmful emissions. The use of solar energy as a green alternative to traditional energy carriers makes it possible to increase the productivity of the pipeline by up to 50 %, eliminate energy costs during oil transportation.