Sensibilidad De Selección De Componentes Para Análisis De Consecuencias De Mezclas De Petróleo Codiluidas Con Fracciones Livianas

Ecopetrol S.A. has developed a technology to transport heavy and extra-heavy crude oil by pipeline to ports or refineries, called Co-dilution, which uses light components to obtain a stable mixture, in a single phase, throughout the transportation system.

Before implementing this technology, Ecopetrol performed dilution using exclusively imported naphtha. With the co-dilution technology, imported naphtha has been partially replaced by a non-conventional diluent such as LPG, which is more efficient and lower cost, achieving significant savings for Ecopetrol in naphtha purchases. However, the use of this technology produced a more volatile mixture with vapor pressure, flammability, and explosiveness limits changes in the prepared mixture, then technology faced challenges that were identified in the consequences analysis related with process safety events at the facilities. Therefore, it was necessary to perform an assertive definition of the simulated mixture’s composition using PHAST 8.7 ®, to obtain results to take proper decisions to define the feasibility of the projects, the location of the facilities and the barriers required for risk management. Likewise, if representative components fail to be included in the model, the risk might be underestimated and give a sense of confidence that may put the facility at risk.

This study presents the results of the sensitivity in dispersion and radiation effects in LOPC events for selected components to be included in the simulation. The components were selected based on their physicochemical characterization for the evaluated scenarios of co-diluted blends of crude oil with naphtha and LPG in pumping and storage systems in intermediate facilities of Ecopetrol S.A.