Improvement of rheological properties of Algeria crude oil by addition of extra-light crude oil and a surfactant agent

Abstract

Effect of surfactant and extra-light crude oil addition on the rheologicalbehaviors of an Algeria crude oil in order to improving its flowability werestudied at low temperature. These rheological properties include steadyflow behavior, yield stress and viscoelastic behavior. An AR-2000 rheometerwas employed in all of the rheological examination tests. Results showthat Toluene and extra-light crude oil addition causes a strong reductionin viscosity, the yield stress and can effectively increase of crude oil trans-port capacity. The toluene addition gets its best flow capacity and lowestviscosity at 6%. The extra-light crude oil addition obtains its best flow cap-acity and lowest viscosity at 50%. The viscoelasticity character of the crudeoil has indicate a significantly influence by the addition of Toluene andextra-light crude oil.