Thermal Testing of Wax Layer Thickness in Crude Oil Pipeline

Abstract

This article investigates thermal detection method for wax layer thickness inside pipeline. Crude oil temperature decreases as it flows through pipeline and this causes the wax to precipitate out of solution. Wax deposition increases the viscosity significantly near the wall as it solidifies. The proposed method of thermal wax testing of different operating conditions is investigated through this research. In order to determine the layer thickness using fluid and heat transfer analysis and obtain velocity and temperature distributions, mathematical modelling is achieved. The effect of different layer thicknesses on temperature and flow characteristic such as velocity and pressure distribution are examined in this study. The method is examined for different Reynold numbers and flow characteristic and wax thickness are examined. The proposed method is expected to be accurate, efficient and cost effective for online testing of wax layer thickness which find immediate utility in oil and gas operation.

Wax Deposition in Crude Oil Transport Lines and Wax Estimation Methods

“…Therefore, nondestructive techniques are to interest which includes techniques that use temperature sensing, electrical capacitance measurement, and ultrasonic assessment [23]. Firstly, applying the temperature-based techniques, thermal sensing utilizes the heating pulse applied externally, and its transient response can assist in real-time assessment and monitoring of wax deposition [65,66]. The investigation by [67] collected information about wax thickness inside the transport pipeline by observing the acoustic signals after providing the heat pulse externally.…”

Wax Thickness and Distribution Monitoring Inside Petroleum Pipes Based on External Temperature Measurements

“…Several methods of estimating the real time volumes of wax deposition by measuring something have also been proposed, including electric resistance, applying pressure pulse, heat transfer techniques, using ultrasound and a strain gauge, radiography, , acoustic chemometrics, and external heating. , However, there is currently little in situ monitoring, which could be used to optimize interventions and minimize costs, and current methods cannot estimate the distribution of the deposition thickness along the length and around the circumference of the pipe. Wax thickness can be estimated from the oil temperature difference between two points along the pipe length .…”