Title: Kinetic study of wax deposition in the flow lines due to Indian crude oil

Authors: Vikas Mahto; Dharmendra Verma; Harveer Singh

Addresses: Department of Petroleum Engineering, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad-826004, Jharkhand, India ' Department of Petroleum Engineering, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad-826004, Jharkhand, India ' Department of Petroleum Engineering, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad-826004, Jharkhand, India

Abstract: The wax deposition problem during production, transportation and handling of crude oil causes loss of billions of dollars every year to the petroleum industry. Hence, kinetic study of wax deposition in the tubing and pipelines is essential to reduce the operating cost. In this experimental work, important factors responsible for the deposition of wax in the flow lines due to Indian crude oil were studied. The study of wax deposition, dispersion and inhibition of neat crude oil and treated crude oil in the flow lines was carried out using self fabricated set up in our laboratory and ideal differential temperature for this crude oil to flow is determined. The present investigations reveal that the selected pour point depressant may be very helpful for controlling wax deposition problem of the crude oil. [Received: June 1, 2013; Accepted: February 4, 2014]

Keywords: waxy crudes; wax deposition; wax inhibition; wax dispersion; wax appearance; temperature; pour point; kinetics; flow lines; India; crude oil; petroleum industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2015.071506

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2015 Vol.10 No.3, pp.293 - 305

Received: 04 Jun 2013
Accepted: 04 Feb 2014
Published online: 31 Aug 2015 *

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