Estudo experimental da evolução da fase dispersa em emulsões de petróleo visando controle de escoamento com menor potencial de emulsificação

Abstract

This work presents a constructive concept for the construction of a control valve with low emulsification potential. In order to prove that it fulfills its purpose, four of these valves were designed and built, the experimental procedure was developed, the test bench was assembled, and the experiments were carried out, verifying the adequacy of the presented proposal. The cyclonic valves tested were shown to be capable of adequately controlling the flow and presented greater efficiency when compared to conventional valves (both with equivalent flow coefficients), in generating less stable emulsions. The valves were tested with the flow of an emulsion in concentrations of 20% and 40% of oil in water, emulsified before passing through the respective valves. The suggestion of a design parameter is also presented. The result of this work has the potential to be used in multiphase flows with an advantage over the use of conventional valves, since it allows the control of the flow producing an emulsion that is easier to be treated, as is the case in the production of hydrocarbons.