Article
Mechanics
Qian Huang, Hongying Li, Yiwei Xie, Yifei Ding, Yu Zhuang, Chaohui Chen, Shanpeng Han, Jinjun Zhang
Summary: It has been found in this study that applying an electric field to waxy crude oil gel can significantly weaken its structure, including reducing yield stress, moduli, and viscosity, and can transition from brittle-like to ductile-like fracture. A stronger structure weakening effect can be obtained at a higher field strength and lower temperature, and the effect induced by the electric field can be maintained for a certain period of time after removal.
JOURNAL OF RHEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hongying Li, Chaohui Chen, Qian Huang, Yifei Ding, Yu Zhuang, Yiwei Xie, Miaomiao Xu, Shanpeng Han, Jinjun Zhang
Summary: Treatment with pour point depressant (PPD) can reduce the impedance changes caused by wax precipitation, making waxy crude oil easier to transport. Addition of PPD leads to increased capacitance and decreased resistance of wax particles, with a positive correlation between the viscosity reduction and the decrease in resistance. This study provides new insights into the functional mechanism of PPD in improving the flowability of waxy crude oil.
Article
Engineering, Petroleum
Biswadeep Pal, Tarun Naiya
Summary: This research article explores the application of shikakai fruit extract as a novel bio-additive to enhance the flow properties of waxy crude oil, resulting in reduced pumping costs during pipeline transportation. The addition of the bio-additive decreased the pour point and viscosity of the crude oil significantly, making it easier to flow through pipelines. Additionally, the study found that wax deposition was significantly reduced after the addition of the bio-additive, making it a cost-effective solution for flow assurance of waxy crude oil at low temperatures.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Liping Guo, Xiao Xu, Yun Lei, Lei Wang, Pengfei Yu, Qiufang Xu
Summary: This paper establishes a viscoelastic-thixotropic model for waxy crude oil based on the principle of mechanical analogy, characterizing the elasticity, viscosity, and structural strength of gelled crude oil. The model is verified using experimental data and shows clear physical meaning, relatively few parameters, and high prediction accuracy compared to existing models in literature.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Hang Dong, Nan Guo, Lianjie Zhang, Jian Zhao
Summary: This study investigates the effects of heating tube with different diameters, locations, and inclination angles on the temperature field, flow field, and melting law of gelled crude oil through numerical simulation. The results show that the location of the heating tube has the most significant impact on the average temperature and temperature variance, while the inclination angle has the most significant impact on the synergy angle. The findings of this study provide theoretical guidance for the optimization design of tubular heater structure.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qian Huang, Hongying Li, Yu Zhuang, Yifei Ding, Chenbo Ma, Chaohui Chen, Yiwei Xie, Huaqing Liang, Shanpeng Han, Jinjun Zhang
Summary: The application of an electric field perpendicular to the flow direction can achieve viscosity reduction in waxy crude oil, similar to that obtained with an electric field parallel to the flow direction. Additionally, higher electric field strength and lower oil temperature result in more significant viscosity reduction, with viscosity recovering gradually after the electric field is removed.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chaoyue Zhang, Jinjun Zhang, Jiabao Kang, Yiwei Xie, Shanpeng Han, Hongying Li
Summary: Electrical treatment is an emerging method to improve the cold flowability of waxy crude oil. This study investigates the effect of AC electric fields on the oil's viscosity and yield stress. The results show that AC electric fields can also improve the cold flowability, but to a lesser extent compared to DC fields. The frequency and waveform of the AC field have an impact on its electrorheological effect.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Basem Elarbe, Ibrahim Elganidi, Norida Ridzuan, Kamal Yusoh, Norhayati Abdullah, Shamala Vijayakumar
Summary: In this study, a novel PPD, SA-co-BA, was synthesized and evaluated for its performance on Malaysian crude oil. The results showed that the 1:1 mass ratio had the best pour point depression effect and wax inhibition efficiency, leading to a significant improvement in flowability of the crude oil.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jian Zhao, Xiangrui Xi, Hang Dong, Zhihua Wang, Zewen Zhuo
Summary: This study conducted Rheo-microscopy synchronous measurement to investigate the shear thinning behaviors of waxy crude oil. Results showed that with the increase in shear rate, the number of wax crystals decreased, dispersion degree increased, and the alignment of wax crystals along the flow field became more pronounced. The correlation between wax crystal behaviors and viscosity was strongest at specific temperatures, highlighting the importance of crystal dynamics on overall rheological properties.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Li-Ping Guo, Xue Han, Yun Lei, Lei Wang, Peng-Fei Yu, Shuang Shi
Summary: This study investigated the thixotropic behaviors of waxy crude oil emulsion near the gel point and its structural recovery characteristics. The results concluded that the incomplete restoration of structure after lysis is the cause of hysteresis loop formation, and higher water content weakens the thixotropic properties.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Liping Guo, Xue Han, Tao Feng, Yang Liu, Baojun Liu
Summary: This study investigated the shearing rate of water-in-waxy crude oil emulsion under constant shear stress loading conditions and developed a prediction method to estimate the thixotropy of the emulsion. The method only requires thixotropy data of three water content emulsions and dehydrated crude oil, making it applicable for any volume of water content in the oil-water-waxy crude oil emulsion.
PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bruna F. Alves, Rita C. P. Nunes, Luiz C. Bertolino, Elizabete F. Lucas
Summary: Operational problems in the oil industry caused by the precipitation of paraffins can be prevented by using polymeric additives. This article evaluates the use of polymeric nanocomposites as pour point reducers in different types of crude oil and finds that they are more efficient than pure poly(ethylene-covinyl acetate) (EVA) in reducing the pour point. The nanocomposites also modify the wax crystals and reduce the viscosity of the oil samples.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Celia Yacine, Abdelhamid Safri, Djamal Eddine Djemiat, Abdelbaki Benmounah
Summary: An experimental study was conducted on crude oil from the Tin Fouye Tabankort oil field in southern Algeria to investigate its rheological behavior and phase inversion with different emulsions under temperature variations. Rheological characteristics were measured by flow and dynamic mode tests at different temperatures (10°C-50°C) and water concentrations (20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70%) at a fixed temperature of 20°C. Results showed a 31.84% reduction in initial viscosity with increasing temperature and an increase in viscosity at the point of phase inversion due to water addition. The crude oil and emulsions exhibited non-Newtonian behavior with shear thinning. Dynamic analysis varied with temperature and water percentage. Microscopic analysis confirmed the relationship between water droplet shape, diameter, and viscosity variation.
PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lomesh Tikariha, Aniruddha Sanyal, Lalit Kumar
Summary: The precipitation of paraffin wax during crude oil transportation in low ambient temperature poses technological challenges in the petroleum industry. This study investigates the gelation process in a shutdown pipeline and subsequent non-isothermal flow start-up operation. The findings reveal that a pipeline filled with heterogeneous gel, with a weaker gel in the core, restarts faster than when it is filled with gel of equivalent average temperature.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuewen Ning, Xin Song, Sheng Zhang, Yong Wang, Yujun Feng
Summary: The study found that nanohybrid materials can significantly reduce wax crystallization and improve rheological properties of waxy crude oil. The addition of SiO2 nanoparticles enhances the wax-reducing effect of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and modifies the crystal index, grain size, and crystal morphology to inhibit the formation of wax gel. Nanohybrid materials also decrease the viscosity and yield stress of waxy crude oil, providing guidance for designing new generation wax inhibitors.
