Investigation of the Severity of Wax Deposition in Bend Pipes Under Subcooled Pipelines Conditions
Conference paper
Makwashi, N., Sarkodie, K., Akubo, S., Zhao, D. and Diaz, P. (2019). Investigation of the Severity of Wax Deposition in Bend Pipes Under Subcooled Pipelines Conditions. 81st EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition. London 04 - 06 Jun 2019 SPE. https://doi.org/10.2118/195559-ms
| Authors | Makwashi, N., Sarkodie, K., Akubo, S., Zhao, D. and Diaz, P. |
|---|---|
| Type | Conference paper |
| Abstract | Curved pipes are essential components of subsea process equipment and some part of production pipeline and riser. So far, most of the studies on of wax deposition and the possible mitigation strategies have been carried out using straight pipelines, with little attention given to curved pipes. Therefore, the objective of this study is to use an experimental flow loop designed and assembled in the lab to study and understand the mechanisms and variable parameters that affect wax depositional behaviour under the single-phase flow. Series of experiments were carried out with pipes curvatures of 0, 45 and 90-degree at different flow rates (2 and 11 L/min). The sequence in which the bends are incorporated creates non-uniformity of boundary shear, flow separation, and caused isolation of fluid around the bends that affect wax deposition, which depends on flow regimes – Reynolds number along with the radius of curvature of the bend. Prior to the flow loop experiment, the waxy crude oil was characterized by measuring the viscosity, WAT (30°C), pour point (25.5°C), n-Paraffin distribution (C10 - C67), and the saturated/aromatic/resin/asphalte (SARA) fractions Results of this study shows that the wax deposit thickness decreases at higher flow rate within the laminar (Re<2300) and turbulent (Re>2300) flow regimes. It was observed that the deposition rate was significantly higher in curved pipes, about 8 and 10% for 45 and 90-degree, respectively in comparison to the straight pipe for all flow conditions. Increase elevation of the curved pipe, however, led to a more wax deposition trend; where a higher percentage of wax deposit was observed in 45-degree compared to 90-degree curved pipe. This trend was due addition of gravity forces to the frictional forces - influenced by the physical mechanisms of wax deposition mainly molecular diffusion, shear dispersion and gravity settling. From the results of this study, a new correlation between wax deposit thickness and pressure drop was developed. A relationship was established between wax deposit thicknesses, bend angle in pipes and wax deposition mechanisms with a reasonable agreement with published data, especially for steady state condition. Therefore, this study will enhance the understanding of the wax deposition management and improve predictions for further development of a robust mitigation strategy. |
| Keywords | Wax Deposition in Bend Pipes; Wax in pipelines |
| Year | 2019 |
| Publisher | SPE |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.2118/195559-ms |
| Web address (URL) | https://onepetro.org/SPEEURO/proceedings-abstract/19EURO/4-19EURO/D042S014R006/217948 |
| Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Controlled |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 03 Jun 2019 |
| 03 Jun 2019 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Deposited | 25 Jun 2019 |
| Accepted | 15 Mar 2019 |
| Additional information | Publisher does not allow accepted version to be shared. |
Permalink -
https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/86647
Restricted files
Accepted author manuscript
Under embargo indefinitely
173
total views46
total downloads1
views this month0
downloads this month
Export as
Related outputs
Repetitive Deformation of Ga-Based Liquid Metal in Acidified CuCl2 or FeCl3 Solution
Wang, B., Zhang, Y., Wang, S., Jiang, X, Liu, L. and Zhao, D. Repetitive Deformation of Ga-Based Liquid Metal in Acidified CuCl2 or FeCl3 Solution. Journal of Chemical Education.From Soybeans to Tofu: The Underlying Chemistry
Wang, B., Wang, Qi, Wang, B., Wang, S., Zhang, Y. and Zhao, D. (2023). From Soybeans to Tofu: The Underlying Chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00096Directional motion of Gallium-based liquid metal induced by asymmetric chemical surrounding
Wang, B., Wang, Q., Zhang Y.W, Zhang Y.C., Li Y. and Zhao, D. (2023). Directional motion of Gallium-based liquid metal induced by asymmetric chemical surrounding. Journal of Chemical Education. 100 (8), pp. 3156-3161. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00311A Mechanistic Model on Catalyst Deactivation by Coke Formation in a CSTR Reactor
Zhao, D., Muhammad, I, Makwashi, N., Ahmed, T and Manos, G. (2023). A Mechanistic Model on Catalyst Deactivation by Coke Formation in a CSTR Reactor. Processes. 11 (3), pp. 944-962. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11030944Biosurfactant production using Egyptian oil fields indigenous bacteria for microbial enhanced oil recovery
Hamed Aboelkhair, H., Diaz, P. and Attia, A. (2022). Biosurfactant production using Egyptian oil fields indigenous bacteria for microbial enhanced oil recovery. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 208, p. 109601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109601Environmental comparative study of biosurfactants production and optimization using bacterial strains isolated from Egyptian oil fields
Hamed Aboelkhair, H., Diaz, P. and Attia, P.A. (2022). Environmental comparative study of biosurfactants production and optimization using bacterial strains isolated from Egyptian oil fields. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 216, p. 110796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2022.110796
Experimental investigation of liquid viscosity's effect on the flow behaviour and void fraction in a small diameter bubble column: How much do we know?
Abdulkadir, M., Kajero, O., Zhao, D., Al–Sarkhi, A. and Hunt, A. (2021). Experimental investigation of liquid viscosity's effect on the flow behaviour and void fraction in a small diameter bubble column: How much do we know? Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 207, p. 109182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109182Investigating the Behaviour of Air–Water Upward and Downward Flows: Are You Seeing What I am Seeing?
Zhao, D., Abdulkadir, M., Kajero, O., Olarinoye, F. O., Udebhulu, O. D., Aliyu, A. M. and Al-Sarkhi, A. (2021). Investigating the Behaviour of Air–Water Upward and Downward Flows: Are You Seeing What I am Seeing? Energies. 14 (21), p. 7071. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217071Study on Waxy Crudes Characterisation and Chemical Inhibitor Assessment
Zhao, D., Makwashi, N., Abdulkadir, M., Ahmed, T. and Muhammad, I. (2021). Study on Waxy Crudes Characterisation and Chemical Inhibitor Assessment . Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108734Experimental investigation of the characteristics of the transition from spherical cap bubble to slug flow in a vertical pipe
Abdulkadir, M., Ugwoke, B., Abdulkareem, L., Zhao, D. and Hernandez-Perez, V. (2021). Experimental investigation of the characteristics of the transition from spherical cap bubble to slug flow in a vertical pipe. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2021.110349Insights into the transition from plug to slug flow in a horizontal pipe: An experimental study
Abdulkadir, M., Zhao, D., Abdulkareem, L.A., Asikolaye, N.O. and Hernandez-Perez, V. (2020). Insights into the transition from plug to slug flow in a horizontal pipe: An experimental study. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 163, pp. 85-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2020.08.025Continuous Hydrothermal Flow Synthesis of S-Functionalised Carbon Quantum Dots for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Baragau, I., Lu, Z., Power, P.N., Morgan, J.D, Bowen, J., Diaz, P. and Kellici, S. (2020). Continuous Hydrothermal Flow Synthesis of S-Functionalised Carbon Quantum Dots for Enhanced Oil Recovery. Chemical Engineering Journal. 405, p. 126631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126631Pressure drop, void fraction and flow pattern of vertical air-silicone oil flows using differential pressure transducer and advanced instrumentation
Zhao, D., Abdulkadir, M, Abdulkareem, LA and Jatto, DG (2020). Pressure drop, void fraction and flow pattern of vertical air-silicone oil flows using differential pressure transducer and advanced instrumentation. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 159, pp. 262-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2020.04.009Depositional Behaviour of Highly Macro-Crystalline Waxy Crude Oil Blended with Polymer Inhibitors in a Pipe with a 45-Degree Bend
Makwashi, Nura, Barros, Delcia Soraia, Sarkodie, Kwame, Zhao, Donglin and Diaz, Pedro A. (2019). Depositional Behaviour of Highly Macro-Crystalline Waxy Crude Oil Blended with Polymer Inhibitors in a Pipe with a 45-Degree Bend. Day 4 Fri, September 06, 2019. https://doi.org/10.2118/195752-msSlug flow monitoring in pipes using a novel non intrusive optical infrared sensing technology
Sarkodie, K, Fergusson-Rees, A, Makwashi, N and Diaz, P (2019). Slug flow monitoring in pipes using a novel non intrusive optical infrared sensing technology. SPE Europec featured at 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/195449-msCharacteristics of churn and annular flows in a large diameter vertical riser
Zhao, D, Abdulkadir, M, Mbalisigwe, UP, Hernandez-Perez, V, Azzopardi, BJ and Tahir, S (2019). Characteristics of churn and annular flows in a large diameter vertical riser. International Journal of Multiphase Flow. 113, pp. 250-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2019.01.013