Abstract

In this study, influencing factors controlling paraffin wax deposition from its reconstituted wax solution to the pipe wall surface will be presented. An experimental methodology constructed to simulate wax deposition process was employed to investigate these governing conditions. Series of test were designed to determine the effects of temperature differential, flow rate, residence time and wax concentration percentage weight in the deposit. Samples of the deposits were weighed and analyzed at the conclusion of each test for wax percentage weight in the deposit. Temperature differential between the waxy-fluid inlet temperature and a cold surface is a major influencing factor for wax deposition. The experimental result revealed that: wax deposition decreased with increasing temperature difference and flow rate, while the amount of paraffin wax deposited increased with time, attained a maximum value and gradually tails off. Wax concentration percentage weight, slightly varied with time as the temperature changes at a constant flow rate. However, this Study found that the integration of these conditions could have significant influence on wax deposition during crude production.

Key words: Wax deposition, influencing factors, risk.