Heavy-oil-in-water emulsions have different rheological behaviors for different emulsion qualities. With low oil volume fractions, these emulsions behave as Newtonian fluids. However, with oil volume fractions greater-than-or-equal-to 0- they often behave as shear-thinning fluids. The friction loss and power requirements for pipeline transportation of heavy-oil emulsions depends on their rheological behavior. Various formulas for predicting the friction loss of the flow of heavy-oil-in water emulsions in smooth pipes are discussed. Fine sand particles, which are usually produced with heavy oil, change the friction loss of the flow of these emulsions in pipelines. The effect of the fine particles depends on the solids concentration profile in the pipe. Various methods of measuring in situ solids concentration in pipelines are reviewed, including sampling and electrical conductivity probes.
