Abstract
In petroleum chemistry, waxy oil from paraffins can cause operating problems for oil production. The chemical method is used to remove by using chemicals or additives to prevent the wax problem. In this study, the performance of wax inhibitor are evaluated by the measurement of pour-point reduction and wax deposition of crude oil from Mae Soon area, Fang oilfield. Wax deposition is determined by cold finger technique. Wax inhibitors, hexane, Poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (PMAO) and monoethanolamine (MEA) are mixed in oil sample at various concentrations. From the experiment, it is presented that hexane is used to reduce pour-point temperature up to 19.55 % and to reduce wax deposit up to 92.56 %. Moreover, MEA and PMAO have less effect on pour-point reduction. However, they have high efficiency to prevent wax deposition. PMAO provide the better wax deposition performance than MEA. The amount of wax deposit is lower at the same conditions. The percentage of wax deposit is from 39.19 % to 83.02 % for MEA and from 58.54 % to 88.51 % for PMAO. Furthermore, from the results, the preferred concentration of hexane can be at 10 % and PMAO can be 7500 ppm at low temperature or 5000 ppm for higher temperature. The results of this research can be applied to the practical way for wax deposition prevention operation in Mae Soon area in Fang oilfield to reduce the wax problem in the future.
Highlights
Paraffins can cause waxy crude oil which is a complex mixture of many different components including paraffins, aromatics, resins, asphaltenes and other light hydrocarbons [1,2]
Waxy crude oil is obtained from Mae Soon area, Fang oilfield in Chaingmai
The performance of wax inhibitor are assessed by the measurement of pour-point reduction and wax deposition prevention of crude oil from Mae Soon area, Fang oilfield
Summary
Paraffins can cause waxy crude oil which is a complex mixture of many different components including paraffins, aromatics, resins, asphaltenes and other light hydrocarbons [1,2] Among these components, the high molecular weight paraffins are responsible for the various problems encountered during production, transportation and storage of waxy crude oils [3]. Crude oil contains dissolved waxes that can deposit under the appropriate environmental conditions These can build up in production equipment and pipelines, potentially restricting flow and creating other problems [3]. The chemicals used in this study are hexane, Poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) or ZPMAO. These are the potential chemicals as inhibitors to prevent wax formation [7,8]. Monoethanolamine or MEA used as a surfactant to reduce interfacial tension of oil and water can be applied for this study [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
