Effect of Thermal Treatment Temperature on the Flowability and Wax Deposition Characteristics of Changqing Waxy Crude Oil

Abstract

The influence of thermal treatment temperature on the flowability and wax deposition characteristics of Changqing waxy crude oil was researched in detail through pour point/rheological tests, a cylindrical Couette wax deposition experimental device, DSC analyses, asphaltenes stability tests, and microscopic observations. It is found that the flowability of the crude oil can be greatly improved through increasing the thermal treatment temperature. Meanwhile, the wax deposition rate of the crude oil can be outstandingly inhibited with the increase of thermal treatment temperature from 50 to 70 °C. Moreover, the flow regime can also influence the wax deposition characteristics. Under cold flow regime (22 °C/12 °C), the structure of formed wax deposits is homogeneous while the aging of the wax deposits is not obvious. Under hot flow regime (30 °C/20 °C), the aging of the wax deposits is obvious, but a heterogeneous two-layer structure exists in the formed wax deposits at the thermal treatment temperatures 50 ...