METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING A VISCOUS PRODUCT BY CAVITY LUBRICATION FLOW TECHNIQUE

摘要

The invention concerns a method for transporting a viscous product in a pipe (C) by cavity lubrication flow technique, and limiting the restart pressures required for circulating the viscous product. Cavity flow is a technique enabling a very viscous product to be transported in a pipe with reduced pressure drops. However, when there is a difference of density between the fluids, the transverse movements of the viscous product towards the walls cause stratification and the restart pressures are then very high, since the viscous portion must be deformed. In order to limit said pressures, it is proposed that the transverse movements should be limited by injecting into said pipe a threshold fluid enabling resistance to transverse movements to be generated. To obtain such a threshold fluid, additives may be added into the water layer currently used. The invention is useful in particular for transporting viscous hydrocarbons.