3 replies to this topic

[FedericoFE]

Hello all,

 

I am designing a steam bath firetube heater for heating up a crude oil/water mixture from 30 to 60°C. Crude oil flow rate is 1 m3/h and water flow rate is 9 m3/h.

In order to calculate the heat transfer coefficient in the process side of the coil, I need to know the viscosity of the crude oil/water mixture, but I only have data for crude oil and water separately. Which value should I consider? Is there any expression to calculate the viscosity of the mixture?

 

Please help, thanks!

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[S J]

FedericoFE

In my experience, viscosity of crude oil shall be obtained from experiment.

If you are EPC engineer, you should ask client about viscosity of crude oil.

In simulation, viscosity of crude oil cannot be calculated exactly and water and oil are not mixed.

[Bobby Strain]

I would think that the suppliers of such equipment have a method. Since this operation is quite common. HTRI probably has a method that they use, too. Are you really designing this for fabrication?

 

Bobby

[S.AHMAD]

Dear Fed..

May I suggest that you use water viscosity since the composition is 90% and the the viscosity of water is larger than crude oil that shall give lower heat transfer coefficient so the size required is bigger. Slightly bigger exchanger is good from operational perspective but not investment point of view. The project manager shall be unhappy but the operator shall be the most happier.

Would you please check he size if you are using the oil viscosity. I believe the difference is marginally acceptable and reasonable.

 

S.ahmad