Effect of operating conditions on wax deposition in a laboratory flow loop characterized with DSC technique

In this paper, an experimental study about the influence of operating conditions in a laboratory flow loop on wax deposition phenomena by using DSC technique is presented. The operating conditions studied were oil temperature, wall temperature, temperature difference (between the bulk and the ambient), and flow velocity. Results were obtained and explained in terms of deposition rate and wax deposit composition (DSC curve shape). So that higher deposition rate was obtained for the following cases: oil temperature increasing, wall temperature decreasing, and at lower flow velocities. On the other hand, a wax deposit with heavier hydrocarbons was obtained when all the operating conditions evaluated were increased. These results will facilitate a better understanding of the physic of the wax deposition. Also, it will help in developing hardness model of the wax deposit, and thus provide a solid bearing on the pigging operation in petroleum industry.