•  
  •  
 

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

This paper discusses how a solar-assisted thermal heating system can be incorporated to enhance the efficiency of fuel pumping at the Karbala Fuel Depot which is managed by the Middle Oil Distribution Company in Iraq. The aim of the system is to partially pre-heat diesel before pipeline transfer and hence minimizing losses in pressure caused by viscosity and saving electrical power consumed during pumping operations. The test is a combination of field tests, thermal performance modeling, and thermal flow analysis using CFD to capture the interaction between temperature, fuel rheology and pump load behaviour. It was proven that the stratified thermal storage tank (8000 liters) could hold steady temperature layering and allow early access to higher-temperature fuel in the morning loading phase when pumping demand is at the highest. The exchanger also enabled even distribution of temperature increase throughout the circulating loop and this reduced the pump power consumption by an estimated 12-15 percent in the critical operating range. Although annualized direct energy savings are low considering the existing Iraqi electricity tariffs, the system provided some operational advantages including smooth startup behavior, minimized mechanical stress on pumps and the minimized short-period flow discontinuities. A discounted economic evaluation at a 7 percent rate revealed that complete capital remuneration is not reached in a 15 years' service horizon. Nevertheless, the usefulness of the system grows by taking into account the reliability of fuel handling, possible increase in tariffs, and strategic topicality of solar use in the industrial petroleum logistics. The paper also concludes that the solar-assisted thermal integration is a technically viable and operationally useful addition to the fuel distribution operations at Karbala Depot and can be used as a pattern by other such plants in Iraq.

Keywords

A solar assisted heating, Fuel pumping efficiency, Diesel viscosity, Thermal stratification, Heat exchanger, Energy performance, Karbala fuel depot, Iraq petroleum logistics

Download

Share

COinS