Abstract
A variety of techniques have been employed in order to reduce problems caused by the crystallization of paraffin during the production and/or transportation of waxy crude oil. Flow improvers are used extensively to increase the mobility of crude oil. In this study, the influence of the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), as flow improver, with different ranges of molecular weight on the viscosity and pour point of five Iranian waxy crude oils was evaluated. Five types of Iranian waxy crude oil were selected based on their similar wax (> 10%) but different asphaltene contents. Also, the effect of asphaltene content on the performance of this flow improver was studied. The rheological behavior of these crude oils, with middle range API gravity, in the absence/presence of flow improver was studied. The rheological data cover the temperature range of 5 to 40 °C. The results indicated that the performance of flow improver was dependent on the molecular weight and the asphaltene content. For crude oil with low asphaltene, higher molecular weight flow improvers are the best additive and lower molecular weight flow improvers showed good efficiency for crude oil with high asphaltene content. Addition of small quantities of asphaltene solvents such as xylene (1 wt.%), alone or in combination with flow improver, can improve viscosity of crude oil with high asphaltene content.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
