Mathematical Modelling of Wax Deposition in Crude Oil Pipeline Systems

Author(s):  
Mustafa Versan Kok ◽  
Onder Saracoglu
Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1572
Author(s):  
Bin Yao ◽  
Deyin Zhao ◽  
Zhi Zhang ◽  
Cheng Huang

The Shunbei crude oil pipeline is prepared to use the unheated transportation process to transport waxy crudes. However, the wax formation in the pipeline is unknown. In order to predict the wax deposition of the pipeline, the physical property experiment of Shunbei crude oil was carried out through field sampling. The density, freezing point, hydrocarbon composition, and viscosity–temperature characteristics of crude oil are obtained. The cloud point and wax precipitation characteristics of the crude oil were obtained using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermal analysis method. Then, the wax deposition rate of the pipeline was predicted by two methods: OLGA software and wax deposition kinetic model. Finally, the optimal pigging cycle of the pipeline was calculated on this basis. The results show that: Shunbei crude oil is a light crude oil with low wax content, a low freezing point, and a high cloud point. Comparing the OLGA simulation results with the calculation results of the Huang Qiyu model, the development trend of wax deposition along the pipeline was the same under different working conditions. The relative error of the maximum wax layer thickness was 6%, proving that it is feasible for OLGA to simulate wax deposition in long-distance crude oil pipelines. Affected by the wax precipitation characteristics of Shunbei crude oil, there was a peak of wax precipitation between the pipeline section where crude oil temperature was 9.31–13.31 °C and the recommended pigging cycle at the lowest throughput was 34 days in winter and 51 days in spring and autumn.


2013 ◽  
Vol 401-403 ◽  
pp. 891-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Lin Cheng ◽  
Xu Xu Wang ◽  
Xian Li Li ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Ling De Meng

In waxy crude oil transportation process, wax crystals start to precipitate as the oil temperature drops to wax appearance point, and then form a network structure gradually which attaches to the wall. The problem of wax deposition seriously affects the normal operation of pipeline. Based on the wax deposition tendency coefficient method, combined with experimental data, the parameters related to wax deposition tendency coefficient is fitted, and the wax deposition rate equation of crude oil is determined finally. The variation law of wax deposition rate along the pipeline is analyzed, and the influence of different seasons and different throughput the on wax deposition rate is discussed subsequently.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (15-16) ◽  
pp. 1499-1507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Hu ◽  
M. Wu ◽  
K. Hu ◽  
J. Liu

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 143-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ramírez-Jaramillo ◽  
C. Lira-Galeana ◽  
O. Manero

Author(s):  
Qing Miao ◽  
Baoliang Jiang ◽  
Jianghua Tao ◽  
Sen Hu ◽  
Jianjun Liu

A crude oil pipeline transporting Daqing crude in the Northeast of China had not been carried out pigging for four years. The wax deposition in it increased gradually over past four years. In this paper, from the operation data of the pipeline among the four years, the average hydraulic wax deposition thicknesses are calculated and analyzed statistically. Based on the results, the increment of the wax deposition in the long-term unpigged crude oil pipeline is concluded qualitatively and so a mathematical model for predicting the average hydraulic wax deposition thickness of such a pipeline is created. The physical meanings of the coefficients in the model are explained in the paper. Also, as an example for showing how to use this model, the statistical results on certain section of the pipeline are selected and the determination for the coefficients is introduced in detail.


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