Solar Heating of Sudanese Fuel Oil

Abstract

It is known nowadays that the Sudan had stopped importing of crude after producing it in several fields (Abu Gabra, Adar Yale, Higlig……. ect.).Usage of the Sudanese fuel oil resulted in several problems in operation because of its high percentage of paraffin wax which reaches (8%- 22%) the Sudanese fuel oil freezes at temperature between (0 °C to 47 °C), which make it unpumpable. The proposed solution for this problem is by heating the fuel oil to be pumpable. Present heating is carried out by using steam from the boiler. This research is a trial to use an alternative heating system by utilization of solar energy. Firstly, about fuel oil chemical and physical properties were studied and compare them with the international properties of the imported fuel oil. Secondly, the problems of using the Sudanese fuel oil in several stages; transportation, unloading, and handling were studied. Thirdly, the required heat energy to heat the Sudanese fuel oil so as to be pumpable was calculated. Fourth, the required solar collector was designed. Fifth, economical analysis for the chosen heating system and the other alternatives were conducted