Novel Approach for Improving the Flow of Waxy Crude Oil Using Thermochemical Fluids: Experimental and Simulation Study

Abstract

This article focuses on the flow assurance of waxy crude oil using an environmentally benign and cost-effective approach involving thermochemical reaction. The study incorporates experimental and simulation works to evaluate heat and pressure generation potentials and heat transfer efficiency of the thermochemical fluids. Experimental results reveal that at the concentration (1 M) of thermochemical fluid (TCF) ranging between 14 and 33% v/wt of the waxy oil, sufficient heat could be generated to raise the temperature of the oil significantly above the pour point (48 °C). In addition, from the bench-top treatment of a damaged tubing, it was observed that more than 95% of the deposited wax could be removed using the thermochemical solutions. Subsequently, a large-scale applicatio of the technology in a long-distance flow assurance of waxy crude oil was confirmed through process simulation. Ultimately, the simulation results revealed the capacity of the method to improve the temperature and pressure profiles of the pipe flow system, and most significantly, to remove wax deposition up to 98%.