Parabolic calculation model for wax removal interval of hot oil pipeline

Abstract

In the process of hot oil pipeline transportation, the economy and safety of crude oil transportation are seriously affected by wax deposition. Therefore, the reasonable wax removal interval is considered as the key to ensure the normal operation of the pipeline. By analyzing the law of wax deposition intensity of oil with different wax content, resin content and water content changing with temperature, the parabolic relation between temperature and wax deposition intensity was obtained by fitting. The general parabolic mathematical model of wax deposition intensity for hot oil pipeline was established by considering wax precipitation temperature. The wax removal interval was proposed which could quantitatively calculate the wax removal interval of hot oil pipelines at different wax content, resin content, water content and wax precipitation temperature, make reasonable wax removal interval for hot oil pipelines with similar properties and ensure the safe operation of pipelines. This method has been applied to the hot oil pipeline from West-Tuzkol Oilfield to Kumkol Oilfield. Thanks to the reasonable wax removal interval, the pipeline operates safely. This method is expected to provide technical supports for determining the wax removal interval of hot oil pipelines.

Keywords

• hot oil pipeline
• wax deposition mathematical model
• wax deposition thickness
• wax removal interval