Effect of concentrated solar radiation on reduction of pressure drop in oil pipeline

Oil transportation through pipeline is considered as an effective and economical method. Heating is an effective method used for the reduction of crude oil viscosity and pressure drop. In the present work, 3D steady state CFD analysis carried out in an oil pipeline which is heated by applying concentrated solar radiation using a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) where the pipeline acts as an absorber pipe. The analysis focuses on the effect of concentrated solar radiation for reducing pressure drop in the oil pipeline. This reduction in pressure drop helps to reduce the pumping power requirement. The influence of concentrated solar radiation and Reynolds number on pressure drop in heated oil pipeline is investigated. Results from the CFD analysis indicates that considerable pressure drop reduction can be achieved by heating the pipe with concentrated solar radiation using PTC.