STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF FLOW MODIFIER OF WAXY

CRUDE OIL TRANSPORTATION

By
MAHMOOD EBRAHIM ABDO DHEEB
17054

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of

the requirements for the
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.)
(Petroleum Engineering)

SEPTEMBER 2016

Supervisor: Dr. Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Bandar Seri Iskandar
31750 Tronoh
Perak Darul Ridzuan

CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF FLOW MODIFIER OF WAXT CRUDE OIL

TRANSPORTATION

by
Mahmood Ebrahim Abdo Dheeb
17054

A project dissertation submitted to the

Petroleum Engineering Proramme
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (Hons)
(Petroleum)

Approved by,
_________________________
(Dr. Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn)

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS

TRONOH, PERAK
SEPTEMBER 2016

CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY

This is to certify that I am responsible for the work submitted in this project, that the
original work is my own except as specified in the references and acknowledgements,
and that the original work contained herein have not been undertaken or done by
unspecified sources or persons.

______________________________________
Mahmood Ebrahim Abdo Dheeb

ii

ABSTRACT
The production of crude oils is normally in remotes areas and pipelines are the most
energy efficient way of transporting it. The crude oils being very viscous on extraction
have to go through some processing to enable them to be transported by pipeline. Fresh
crude oil is relatively mobile; however at lower temperatures when it has to be
transported long distances through pipelines, it gradually becomes thicker and sluggish
hampering its flow properties by forming crystals of wax on its wall and making it
difficult to pump. Some waxy crude oils are characterized by high viscosity ,therefore
it is important to reduce the viscosity of the waxy crude oil .one of the method used to
avoid this issue is treating crude oil with waxy crude oil modifier there are various
choices available including chemical additives such as flow improver, viscosity
reducer and pour point depressants. In this work we will involve the evaluation
of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as pour point depressant and flow improver by
changing the feed ratio. Malaysian waxy crude oil was used to estimate the
effectiveness of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as additive through measurements of
pour point and viscosity of treated and untreated crude oil. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
interferes in the wax crystallization process thus modifying the crystal structure of the
paraffin present in the crude oil resulting in lowering pour point and viscosity of the
crude oil.

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, I would like to express my greatest praise and gratitude to Allah the
Almighty for His Mercy for giving me the strength and capability to complete this
final year project report during my final year semesters. Firstly, special thanks to my
supervisor, Dr Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn, FYP Coordinators, consultants and
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) for the constant guidance towards the
completion of this progress report.
I also would like to take this opportunity to thank all parties involved for the
respective professionalism and contribution to the project particularly to Dr Mysara
Eissa Mohyaldinn and to my internal examiners, Ms.Haizatul Hafizah Hussain and AP
Dr Syed Mohammad Mahmood for their contribution, because they have encouraged,
guided and supported me from the beginning until I have reached this level, and
through this enabled me to develop an understanding of the project. And not forgetting,
my dearest friends and colleagues for their continuous support.
I am also thankful for the love, support and prayers from my family which has
led to the successful completion of this final report for my final year project. Lastly I
would like to thank all those who supported me in any way during the process of
completing this project.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL ........................................................................ i
CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY .................................................................. ii
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................ iv
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................. ivi
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................. ivii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1
1.1.

Background: .................................................................................................. 1

1.2.

Problem Statement ........................................................................................ 2

1.3.

Objective and Scope of Study ....................................................................... 3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................. 4

2.1. Definition of Waxy Crude Oil ........................................................................... 4
2.2. Wax Deposition Mechanism ............................................................................. 4
2.3. Wax Appearance Temperature or Cloud Point ................................................. 5
2.4. Phenomenology ................................................................................................. 5
2.5. Paraffin Containment ........................................................................................ 5
2.6. Importance to the Industry ................................................................................ 6
2.7. Wax Chemical Compound Formation & Properties ......................................... 6
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY .......................................................................... 11
3.1.

Research Methodology ................................................................................ 11

3.2.

Methodology Flowchart .............................................................................. 12

3.3.

Materials ...................................................................................................... 12

3.4.

Chemical Additives (Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone) ............................................ 13

3.5.

Experiment .................................................................................................. 17

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ..................................................... 18

5.1. Experiment Results.......................................................................................... 18
5.2. Simulation Results ........................................................................................... 20
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ................................................................................ 23
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 24
APPENDIX ............................................................................................................... 25

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Wax in Subsea Pipeline ...........................................................................2

Figure 1.2: Wax Deposited in Pipeline ......................................................................3
Figure 2.1: The Influence of Concentration of Polymer Flow Improver on Pour Point
of Studied Waxy Oil ..................................................................................................8
Figure 2.2: Chart of Proportions of TEA in Crude Oil and Its Viscosity .................10
Figure 3.1: Research Methodology ............................................................................11
Figure 3.2: Methodology Flowchart ..........................................................................12
Figure 3.3: Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidine Structure .............................................................13
Figure 3.4: Sample of Dulang Oil (Solidified at Room Temperature) ......................14
Figure 3.5: Rhemeter ..................................................................................................16
Figure 4.1: Viscosity vs Concentration at 25o C ........................................................18
Figure 4.2: Viscosity vs Concentration at 35o C ........................................................18
Figure 4.3: Viscosity vs Concentration at 45o C ........................................................19
Figure 4.4: Viscosity vs Concentration at 55o C ........................................................19
Figure 4.5: Pressure vs Distance (500ppm) ...............................................................21
Figure 4.6: Pressure vs Distance (1000ppm) .............................................................21
Figure 4.6: Pressure vs Distance (2000ppm) .............................................................22

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Effect of Various Wax Inhibitor ...............................................................7

Table 2.2: Impact of Solvent on Waxy Oil ................................................................8
Table 2.3: Viscosity of Crude Oil Sample Blended With Different Rate of
Triethanolamine (TEA) at Various Temperatures ....................................................9
Table 2.4: Pour of Crude Oil Sample Blended With Different Percentage of
Triethanomine (TEA) .................................................................................................9
Table 3.1: Properties of Dulang Crude Oil ................................................................14
Table 3.2: Gantt chart and milestones for FYP I .......................................................17
Table 3.2: Gantt chart and milestones for FYP II ......................................................17
Table 4.1: Viscosity vs Concentration .......................................................................20

vii

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background:
Flow assurance is one of the major technical challenges in oil and gas production
operations. The formation of gas hydrate, wax, halite, asphalting, mineral scales, and
naphthenic acids can all result in serious operational and economic concerns. The
industry needs novel, innovative techniques to reduce the costs associated with flow
assurance, improving the overall.
Crude oil possess high wax that causes many issues through production, storage
and transportation period. But the main issue is the crystallization and sedimentation
of the waxy crude oil in the pipes. Once the crude oil starts flowing through the
pipelines, there will be formed crystals of wax which is going to grow till it is covered
the whole inner wall by wax. While the movement of crude oil through the pipes the
size of wax will increase, because of that the pressure needs to be increased in order
to preserve stable flow rate. However, knowing the mobility of the flow is an important
issue for effective and frugal process of a pipeline framework. The main matter of
waxy crude oil is the stream restart after delayed arranged or shutting down the well
for specific reason, for example crystallization of wax.
The wax crystals sedimentation drives to change the viscosity of the crude oil
from low to high viscos fluid and decrease of the effective cross sectional area of the
pipe. A solution to this issue would be ensuring the commercial benefit target which
would be reached by adding chemical additives or polymers to the flow stream to lower
the viscosity rate and pour point. Although crude oil treatment with chemical additives
is not the only solution for wax deposition, but it stays the recognized solution over all
other choices (Atta et al., 2013). Moreover, the characteristics of crude oil will mend
by when we add quantity of fluid improver.

Companies and organizations of Oil are improving unorthodox oil fields that
have complicated liquid properties with the decrease in conventional oil reserves,
hence ability of the flow is a serious part in oil industry. Meanwhile the fluid flows
through the pipeline, we have to consider the viscosity of the fluid as an important
factor of the fluid. There are many factors that create issues on pipeline capability.

Usually the waxy crude oil pumped at temperature above its Wax Appearing
Temperature.in order to prevent forming of wax on the wall of the pipes. The pressure
pumped should high enough to hold the stability of the fluid. Due to some factors that
affect the fluid during the transportation, the fluids lose its ability to flow such as
reduction of its temperature. When the temperature decrease the oil will be more
viscos.

1.2 Problem Statement

Waxy crude oils are type of liquids which have very complicated behaviour at
various conditions. The viscosity and pour point of waxy crude oil might cause some
problems such as high required pressure and difficulties of restarting after shutting
down the well for example effecting the pipeline system. One of the method used to
facilitate and guarantee smooth transportation of waxy crude oil to minimize the
required pressure is injecting chemical flow modifier. In this project, the behaviour of
waxy crude oil will be evaluated experimentally at different concentration of a selected
flow improver.

Figure 1.1: Wax in Subsea Pipeline

Figure 1.2: Wax Deposited in Pipeline

1.3 Objectives and Scope of Study

In order to conduct this project, first of all we have to identify the properties of
waxy crude oil and its behaviour during transportation stage at different concentration
of selected modifier. There are three main objectives to achieve:1.

Perform experimental study to investigate the influence of flow

modifier on the waxy crude oil rheology.

2.

Develop a correlation relating the flow modifier concentration to the

crude oil viscosity.

3.

Simulate the pressure distribution along the pipeline at various

conditions and flow modifier concentration

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Definition of waxy crude oil

Waxy crude oil defined as a rude oil that have high pour point and low API
gravity, and often containing paraffin wax (alkanes).A wax crude oil is distinguished
by the fact that it exhibit non-Newtonian viscosity behaviour at temperature below
about 20 Fahrenheit above the pour point. This means that the effective viscosity below
this value is not a function of temperature alone, but is also function of the effective
rate of shear in the pipeline (Bombs et al., 1986).

2.2 Wax Deposition Mechanism

The problem of paraffin wax may be described as a situation in which a
predominantly organic deposit hampers the production of crude oil; the loss crude
production from well depends on the severity and location of the deposition. In a
pioneering work, Burger et al., (1981) investigated four wax deposition mechanisms:
the mechanism of paraffin wax deposition are governed by molecular diffusion of wax
molecules; shear dispersion of wax crystallites and Brownian diffusion of wax
crystallites. Gravity settling of paraffin crystals in flow line conditions is negligible,
because its dominated by shear dispersion (Burger et al., 1981). Molecular diffusion
is the deposition mechanism prevalent for tubing deposition in flowing well that
maintains oil temperature, well above the cloud point until the oil is coming up the
tubing (Bern et al., 1980; Leiroz and Azevedo, 2005). Deposition is enhanced as result
of lateral transportation by the. In wax deposition mechanism process, a concentration
gradient is produced in the oil as a result of temperature gradient profile, due to
increasing solubility of waxes with increasing temperature. The concentration caused
waxes in solution to diffuse from the warmer oil, which has a greater concentration of
4

dissolved waxes, to the colder oil, which has a lower concentration, resulting to
molecular diffusion of the paraffin crystals towards the surface wall.

2.3 Wax Appearance Temperature or Cloud Point

When a liquid solution or melt is lowered to the wax appearance temperature
(WAT), the wax molecules form clusters of aligned chains. Once these nuclei reach a
critical size, they become stable and further attachment of molecules leads to growth
of the crystal. Formation of these nuclei causes the fluid to take on a cloudy
appearance, hence the name cloud point. This also is referred to as the wax
crystallization temperature or wax appearance point. Determination of a WAT
significantly higher than the temperatures expected to be encountered during
production indicates the potential for wax deposition problems.

2.4 Phenomenology

As the temperature of the crude drops below a critical level and/or as the lowmolecular-weight hydrocarbons vaporize, the dissolved waxes begin to form insoluble
crystals. The deposition process involves two distinct stages, nucleation and growth.
Nucleation is the forming of paraffin clusters of a critical size that are stable in the
hydrocarbon fluid. This insoluble wax itself tends to disperse in the crude.

2.5 Paraffin Containment

Wax deposition onto the production system, generally requires a nucleating

agent, such as asphaltene and inorganic solids. The wax deposits vary in consistency
from a soft mush to a hard, brittle material. Paraffin deposits will be harder, if longerchain n-paraffin are present. Paraffin deposits can also contain

Asphaltenes

Resins
5

Gums

Fine sand

Silt

Clays

Salt

Water

High-molecular-weight waxes tend to deposit in the higher-temperature sections

of a well, while lower-molecular-weight fractions tend to deposit in lower-temperature
regions. Prior to solidification, the solid wax crystals in the liquid oil change the flow
properties from a Newtonian low viscosity fluid to a very-complex-flow behaviour gel
with a yield stress.

2.6 Importance to the Industry

A few year back flow guarantee has become a major technical discipline and has
paid. Attention because of its risk in the industry. It has offered ascend to entomb
disciplinary exploration wherein alongside the improvement in research centre and
utilization of different chemicals, assurance on modelling and simulating the pipeline
in different situation has been studied.

2.7 Wax chemical compound formation & properties

The wax exist in crude oil mostly contains of paraffin hydrocarbon (C18-C36)
recognised as paraffin wax and naphthenic hydrocarbon (C30-C60). The hydrocarbon
element of wax able to present in several cases, i.e. gas, liquid, and particles (solids),
relying on their properties such as pressure, temperature and viscosity. When the
temperature of wax decreased it agglomerates and the crystal shaped from paraffin
wax are recognised as microcrystalline or naphthenic hydrocarbon (Daungkaew et al.,
2012).

According to (Engelen et al., 1979) the temperature of the waxy crude oil at the
time of injecting the chemical additives is necessary factor to determine the efficiency
of wax reaction modifier. If the temperature is very low, surely some amount of wax
will be formed and this accumulated wax will affect the rendering of chemicals.

According to Behbahani (2014) reported that pour point get effective by wax
inhibitor. We can conclude that high molecular weight wax inhibitor has better
performance for lowering of pour point of waxy crude oil as shown in the below table.

Table 2.1: Effect of Various Wax Inhibitor

The crystal growth development rate of the lower atomic weight wax inhibitor
is much slower than that of the higher sub-atomic weight wax inhibitor. As the gem
development rate of higher sub-atomic weight stream improver is speedier, it can't cotake shape with diminished size of wax precious stones. This is the motivation behind
why higher atomic weight wax inhibitor demonstrates better proficiency for waxy oil.

Figure 2.1 indicates effect of convergence of the wax inhibitor on the pour point.
Results demonstrate the connection between pour point and wax inhibitor fixation is
not direct.

Figure 2.1: The Influence of Concentration of Polymer Flow Improver on Pour

Point of Studied Waxy Oil

Another wax crude modifier is Isooctane, it is dissolvable for methacrylate.

Impact of waxy oil weakening with various dissolvable concentration was appeared in
Table 2.2. As demonstrated impact of wax inhibitor and dissolvable focus was
analysed.

Table 2.2: Impact of Solvent on Waxy Oil

Based on 10% dissolvable, pour point of waxy oil decreased from 5 to not
exactly - 70C. The lessening of pour point by expansion of dissolvable is because of
8

the disintegration of asphaltenes. Obviously, the impact of alleviation might play a

major factor in decreasing the viscosity. Most likely the viscosity lessening is
accomplished because of the impact of weakness. This study demonstrated that
treatment of waxy oil with wax inhibitor alone is not adequate. Truth be told the waxy
oil will give lower consistency after disintegration of waxy oil by dissolvable and
consequent treatment with wax inhibitor.

Table 2.3: Viscosity of Crude Oil Sample Blended With Different Rate of
Triethanolamine (TEA) at Various Temperatures

Table 2.4: Pour Point of Crude Oil Sample Blended With Different
Percentage of Triethanoamine (TEA).

Figure 2.2: Chart of Proportions of TEA in Crude Oil and Its Viscosity

According to Caleb Abiodun Poopola (2015) Discussed the impact of Chemical

added substance on the crude oil viscosity: Table 2.3 and Figure 2.2 demonstrate the
impact of triethanolamine (TEA) of the viscosity on the crude oil at various
temperature. The impact of compound added substance (TEA) on the viscosity of the
crude oil. Distinctive dosages (i.e. 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2.5% and 5%) were
attempted at various temperatures to decide the viscosity.as we can see from Table 2.3,
triethanolamine.(TEA) minimise the viscosity.at various temperature. when the
amount of additive triethanolamine.(TEA) rise, the viscosity of the crude oil rise as
well and vice versa. Figure 2.2. This is in accordance with discoveries of Soni, et al.,
2005, in which it was spotted that the crude oil reactions diversely with the same added
substance at various measurements, as a consequence of changes in rheological
properties of the crude oil. The table demonstrates that the sub-atomic weight of the
added substance assumes an essential part in influencing the viscosity of the crude oil.
The higher atomic weight polymer gives higher viscosity. The structure of the polymer
and its solvency in the crude oil are additionally essential. As long as we add the
needful chemical additives of flow improver to the crude oil the viscosity will
improved, the suitable amount of the flow improver has to be added for the efficiency.
Triethanolamine (TEA) performs exceptionally well at 65C with 0.05% volume and
concurred with Taiwo, et al., 2012, report that triethanolamine (TEA) is a decent wax
affidavit inhibitor. With 0.05% volume division of triethanolamine (TEA)

10

CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Methodology

Usually each project has its own stages/objectives that have to achieve in order
to complete the project. For this project we have some objectives to follow up to
finish.

Topic Selection

Literature Review

Extended Proposal
Submission

Submission of
Interim Report

Continueing Project
works

Proposal Defense

Figure 3.1: Research Methodology

11

3.2 Methodology Flowchart

Start

Research and Studying

Literature Review

Preforming the Experiment

Simulation Lab

Result Analysis

Conclusion

End

Figure 3.2: Methodology Flowchart

3.3 Materials
a. Waxy crude oil
b. Wax inhibitors (chemichal additives)
c. Rheometer (for experimental part)
d. PIPESIM Software (for simulation part)

12

3.4 Chemical Additives (Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone)

PVP-Poly vinyl pyrrolidone is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer and can be
applied in a variety of fields-of-use owing to following advantageous characteristics.

Good solubility in water as well as various organic solvents

Good affinity to various polymers and resins

High hygroscopicity

Good film formation property

Good adhesiveness to various substrates

Good chelate / complex formation property

Figure 3.3: Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone Structure

13

3.5 Experiment
For this experiment we are using oil from Dulang field which is located at 130
km of the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.The oil sample of this field is viscous and
waxy.The below figure is showing the Oil sample of Dulang field.

Figure 3.4: Sample of Dulang Oil (Solidified at Room Temperature)

The table below show the characteristics/properties of the Dulang oil sample

Table 3.1: Properties of Dulang Crude Oil

Density (g/cm3 ) at 15oC

0.9814

Viscosity (cst) at 40oC

30.56

Viscosity (cst) at 70oC

3.817

API Gravity

37.6

Pour point 0C

33.0

Water content % vol.

0.7

Wax content % wt

3.0

14

The examination procedure for this venture is separated into two sections. The
initial segment is the trial part. In this part, the liquid consistency will be measured
with shear rate for a scope of temperatures (from 23 to 50 C) utilizing a rheometer,
notwithstanding yield push readings including static and flexible farthest point yield
stresses. This technique of this test is as per the following:

1. The rheometer's geometry and adornments are balanced by properties

of the oil test and the added substances.
2. The unrefined petroleum is warmed in the broiler till the required
temperature and after that put on the rheometer plate.
3. The pole then begins turning.
4. The gadget measures the consistency from the development of the pole
as the shear rate is inclined at the predefined temperature.
5. The rheometer is associated with a PC that creates a plot of
consistency against shear rate and thickness against temperature in
view of the rheometer estimations.
6. Extra yields are given by the rheometer and are required for this
exploration which are as far as possible yield push and the static yield
stretch.
7. Steps two to six are rehashed for every temperature and readings are
taken from three trials keeping in mind the end goal to get more
precise and solid results.

A viscometer is not perfect for this specific trial in light of the fact that all things
considered the oil test would be warmed to the required temperature at each
progression before adding to the tube which is not viable and would bring about a lot
of mistake because of huge warmth misfortune. Furthermore, the outcomes from a
high temperature and weight viscometer would set aside essentially longer opportunity
to get. The accompanying figure demonstrates the utilized rheometer:

15

Figure 3.5: Rheometer

A viscometer is not perfect for this specific trial in light of the fact that all things
considered the oil test would be warmed to the required temperature at each
progression before adding to the tube which is not viable and would bring about a lot
of mistake because of huge warmth misfortune. Furthermore, the outcomes from a
high temperature and weight viscometer would set aside essentially longer opportunity
to get. The accompanying figure demonstrates the utilized rheometer:

16

3.6 Gantt Chart

Table 3.2 Gantt chart and milestones for FYP I.
Details

10

11

12

13

14

13

14

Selection of Project Topic

Research Work
Extended Proposal
Submission
Continuation of Project
Work
Proposal Defense
Continuation of Project
Work
Submission of Interim
Draft Report
Interim Report
Submission

Table 3.3: Gantt chart and milestones for FYP II.

Details

Project Work Continues With

Researching Relevant Data
Progress Report Submission
Project Work Continues
Pre-SEDEX
Final Report Draft
Submission
Soft Bound Submission of
Project Dissertation
Technical Paper Submission
Viva
Hard Bound Submission of
Project Dissertation

17

10

11

12

CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Experiment Results

Viscosity at 25 C
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Figure 4.1: Viscosity vs Concentration at 25o C

Viscosity at 35 C
14

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Figure 4.2: Viscosity vs Concentration at 35o C

18

3500

Viscosity at 45 C
10
9
8

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Figure 4.3: Viscosity vs Concentration at 45o C

Viscosity at 55 C
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Figure 4.4: Viscosity vs Concentration at 55o C

19

3500

Table 4.1: Viscosity vs Concentration

PVP
(ppm)
0
500
1000
3000

Viscosity
at 25

Viscosity at
35 C

Viscosity at
45 C

Viscosity at
55 C

54.28
17.81
18.58
21.295

12.02
9.33
9.62
9.91

9.031
6.24
6.32
6.94

7.63
5.14
5.35
5.41

From figure 4.1 to figure 4.2, those figures are presenting or showing the
effectiveness of the additives PVP-Polyvinylpyrrolidone on waxy crude oil at different
concentrations of PVP.The viscosity has been measured of the crude oils with different
concentration (500 ppm,1000ppm and 3000ppm). Moreover, above table shows a clear
explanation of the result of this work. At high temperature, the values of the viscosity
of oils are getting smaller, meaning that if the temperature increased the viscosity will
be reduced because of the effect of the heat. On the other hand by adding PVP the oils
become movable and more viscous, for example when we treat the waxy crude oil by
500ppm, the viscosity decreased when we increase the temperature, which is the
appropriate and suitable amount of additives that should be added at temperature 55 C
and 500 ppm.

4.2. Simulation Results

In this part we used PIPESIM software to evaluate the pressure victims. The
pressure has been measured along with pipe line to know the pressure losses during
the transportation of the waxy crude oil with additives of Polyvinylpyrrolidone at
several concentration. Below are the figures that describe the pressure losses of
transportation phase of the crude.

20

Figure 4.5: Pressure vs Distance (500ppm)

.

Figure 4.6: Pressure vs Distance (1000ppm)

21

Figure 4.7: Pressure vs Distance (2000ppm)

Figures 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 are showing the effectiveness of different concentration
of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) on waxy crude oil.as can be seen in figure 4.5 the
pressure dropped slowly and the pressure losses is 14 psia in every 1 km,thats for
500ppm of PVP chemical additives,also for treated waxy crude oil with 1000ppm the
pressure losses is 14.6 psia.But for 2000 ppm of PVP ,the pressure drop is 12.5 psia in
each kilometre,which means by increasing the chemical additives the viscosity will
change due to that the pressure losses will decrease.

22

CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION
Mostly oil is the critical regular asset to the business and to the human ordinary
life. Progresses in the oil business have been produced all through the previous couple
of years. Architects, analysts and researchers have been concentrating on strategies to
recoup more oil from stores and transport it through pipeline to the refinery or to the
storage. Most of the time there will be a few issues during transportation stage in order
to avoid that we will be using a few types of waxy crude oil modifier such as Asphalt
or other chemical additives.
As a conclusion, after adding the modifier, the viscosity values dropped
significantly in comparison to prior crude oil that means polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
has the ability to change the properties of waxy crude oil such as viscosity and
temperature.

23

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Platt, C. J., . . . Comrie-Smith, N. Is There A Better Way to Determine The
Viscosity in Waxy Crudes?
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Karan, K., Ratulowski, J., & German, P. (2000). Measurement of Waxy Crude
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Luthi, I. F. Waxy Crude Oil Characterization and Experimental Study of the Restart
of a Line Blocked with Gelled Waxy Crude.
Perez, P. L., Gurnon, A. K., Chichak, K., McDermott, J., de Paulo, J., Peng, W., &
Xie, X. Mitigating Wax Deposition From Crude Oils: Correlations Between
Physical-Chemical Properties of Crude Oils and the Performance of Wax
Inhibitors.
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APPENDIX

PVP specification sheet

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