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Automated
Wax Flow Loop stand
WaxFlowLoop A fully automated stand for in-line cyclic testing to evaluate the deposition of resins, asphaltenes, and paraffins in pipelines.
Application
- Study of the precipitation of paraffins and asphaltenes.
- Determination of wax crystallization temperature (WAT). WAT measurements provide an estimate of the likelihood of complications associated with wax deposition. The parameter is determined at the moment when the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the wax deposition test circuit begins to increase.
- Development and optimization of paraffin inhibitors and dissolvers.
- Wax Deposition Rate Analysis: Corresponds to the amount of wax that is deposited on the inner wall of the test circuit tube over time. The parameter is calculated from the change in pressure drop across the paraffin deposition test circuit.
- Pipeline surface effects testing.
- Identification of the limiting static shear stress - PSNS (yield stress) and the conditions for restarting the pipeline.
Measured parameters:T1 Wax/restart circuit inlet temperature
T2 Temperature at the outlet of the wax deposition/restart circuit
T3 Set temperature of heated lines
T4 Set temperature of carbonated oil container
T5 Cooling bath temperature
P1 Wax/restart circuit inlet pressure
P2 Wax/restart circuit outlet pressure
F Pump flow
All measured parameters are recorded and displayed on the monitor screen of the data acquisition system in real time.
How the system worksThe test bench is a closed, isolated hydraulic system in which all lines are constantly under the required test pressure and the test sample is not subject to degassing. The carbonated oil sample container ensures that the oil temperature is maintained above the WAT throughout the test.
In a test line, the sample is pumped through a thermostatic section of the test line. Temperature control occurs using a cooling bath in which the test circuit is immersed. In this section, the temperature of the pipeline walls can be adjusted by heating or cooling. Temperature and pressure measurements at the inlet and outlet of the test pipeline show the effect of wax deposition on pipeline conditions. The deposition of paraffins on the walls of the pipeline leads to a decrease in the diameter of the pipeline. This process is detected by measuring the pressure drop in the pipeline. Also, the paraffin layer on the inner wall of the pipeline causes a thermal insulation effect, which leads to an increase in the temperature gradient. The magnitude of the pressure increase makes it possible to determine the TNKP. The thickness of paraffin deposits is calculated using two independent methods: Pressure drop and Heat and mass transfer. The second type of test is the restarttest, which is performed using a restart test circuit. A special test circuit is immersed in the same cooling bath. Flow through the coil of this test circuit stops when the bath reaches a temperature below the pour point of the oil, the fluid is allowed to stand and form a gel-like structure. After a holding period, the gas pressure required to start flow in the circuit is created and measured, and the limiting static shear stress - PSNS (yield strength) is calculated using the force balance equation.
Standard equipment:(can be changed at customer's request)
High Pressure Gear Pump 1 PC. Heated container with stirrer for carbonated oil 1 PC. Set of heated lines 1 PC. Wax Deposition Coil for Wax Deposition Temperature (WAT) and Wax Deposition Temperature (WDT) 2 pcs. SNA detection coil for performing restart testing 1 PC. Thermostatic heating and cooling bath 1 PC. Temperature sensors at the inlet and outlet of the test coil 2 pcs. Pressure sensors at the inlet and outlet of the test coil 2 pcs. Automatic flow control valves 1 PC. Electrical panel 1 PC. Data acquisition system 1 PC. Piston container for recombination gas 1 PC. Specialized software 1 PC. Set of technical documentation 1 PC. Experimental data obtained from the Circulation Test Facility is used as input into specialized simulation software to produce a representative oil model that can be applied to real production and pipeline transport conditions.
Device diagram1.11.22.12.22.33.13.34.14.24.34.44.54.7Characteristics of test bench componentsHigh pressure gear pump x 1
The high pressure pump is designed to provide precise, non-pulsating flow and pressure control when injecting carbonated oil, recombination gas and nitrogen into the wax deposition/restart circuit. The operation of the pump is completely controlled by software. Pump includes:
- High pressure gear pump, no pulsation, very low loss percentage;
- Pump operating pressure: 207 bar;
- Flow rates: from 0 to 150 ml/min;
- Viscosity of the pumped sample: from 0.5 to 2500 mPa•s;
- Maximum sample temperature: 100 °C;
- Input filter with a resolution of 25 microns, filter heating
- Parts material: Stainless steel/Kalrez/Viton
Coriolis flow meter, 1 pc.
The Coriolis flow meter measures the mass of the passing flow, the flow density, and also controls the sample flow with high accuracy.
- High pressure gear pump, no pulsation, very low loss percentage;
- Pump operating pressure: 207 bar;
- Flow rates: from 0 to 150 ml/min;
- Viscosity of the pumped sample: from 0.5 to 2500 mPa•s;
- Maximum sample temperature: 100 °C;
- Input filter with a resolution of 25 microns, filter heating
- Parts material: Stainless steel/Kalrez/Viton
Container with built-in stirring device and heating jacket for carbonated oil sample, 1 pc.
A container with a built-in magnetic stirrer is used to store and stir the carbonated oil sample before injecting it into the wax deposition/restart circuit. The container is a double-sided piston cylindrical vessel designed for storing and mixing fluids of any type under pressure and temperature. The pressure inside the container is maintained thanks to a pressure regulator. The absence of contact of the working fluid with the sample is ensured by a separating piston. The container is equipped with a heating jacket, which heats and maintains the carbonated oil sample at a constant temperature. Heating and mixing are completely controlled by software. The container can be operated either in a normal vertical orientation or in an inverted position. Both end caps are provided with an inlet/outlet port for fluid injection or fluid sampling.
Parameter Meaning Maximum working pressure 200 bar Maximum operating temperature +120 °C Working displacement volume 1 liter Connection type ¼"FNPT Seal material Viton Power supply 220-240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1ph. Magnetic stirrer speed 0/100 to 1400 rpm Heated lines, 1 set.
All hydraulic lines of the circulation circuit are fully heated and have no cold spots within the circuit. Temperature range up to +100 °C.
Test circuit for paraffin deposition to determine the value of WAT and WDT, 1 pc.
Standard test pipelines to create a small diameter test section, allowing rapid and accurate determination of the initial appearance or further crystallization of solids in the pipeline. Designed to determine the WAT value and the rate of paraffin deposition from a carbonated oil sample.
- Maximum operating pressure: 200 bar;
- Operating temperature: up to 100 °C;
- Material: stainless steel;
- Diameter and length (Internal diameter x length) of pipelines: 2x200 mm and 4.6 x 5000 mm;
- Equipped with shut-off valves and bypass line.
Thermostatic heating and cooling bath with adjustable temperature, 1 pc.
Thermostatic heating and cooling bath is designed to provide heating and cooling of wax deposition test circuits and restart to the required temperature.
Technical characteristics of the bath:
Parameter Meaning Maximum coolant pressure 200 mbar Working temperature -25 to 100 °C Coolant Glycol Coolant volume 5 l Automatic flow control valves, 1 set.
The system includes a set of automatic valves controlled by a computer station, which allows testing to be carried out automatically. Parts in contact with the test medium are made of stainless steel. The valves are equipped with a bursting disc.
Electrical equipment rack, 1 pc.
- Compact rack with removable panels for easy access to internal rack equipment;
- Installation power supply unit, fuse box, protection and blocking system, connection board;
- Analog inputs;
- Digital data output device;
- Communication interface with a computer workstation.
Control and data acquisition station, 1 set.
The computer station is equipped with the latest generation PC with the Windows 7 operating system and specialized software for the WaxFlowLoop test bench. The software provides a friendly interactive interface for working with the stand.
- Modern personal computer,
- Color monitor,
- Laser printer,
- Windows OS package
- A package of specialized software for system management,
- Specialized software.
Specialized softwareSoftware management includes:
- Automatic valve control, open and closed loop testing, automatic cleaning, multi-cycle testing and wax dissolver testing;
- Collection of raw (raw) data such as temperature, pressure, differential pressure and flow;
- Continuous display of data over time in the form of trends and values;
- Registration of measurements and transfer of data to a computer for further processing;
- Means of output to a printing device;
- Monitoring tools that display the overall state of the system and show the status of each major component, measured values and set values;
- Computer controlled failure monitoring system;
- Monitoring tools, the ability to set various parameters for the operation of components, the possibility of manual control;
Computing software includes:
- Mode for studying the circulation circuit of paraffin deposition : the sample circulates in the system and is pre-thermostated to a set temperature, the cooling bath is cooled to a set temperature. Pressure drop and temperature difference are monitored. TNCP (WAT) and TNVP (WDT), the rate of paraffin deposition are determined and the required frequency of pipeline cleaning is calculated, and the effectiveness of paraffin dissolvers is studied;
- Rheology Mode : The sample is circulated through a variable flow system with stepwise temperature changes to simulate different shear rates. If necessary, constant flow control mode can be set to obtain a constant pressure drop. It is possible to use coils with different diameters.
- PSNS measurement mode : the sample is loaded and maintained at a temperature above the WAT. After circulation, the coil is insulated and the sample is cooled at a specified rate to the final holding temperature. Next, the sample is kept for a specified time for the development of PSNS. At the end of the holding period, pressure is created in the coil using nitrogen (recombination gas), it increases with a given step to begin the process of destruction of the gel-like structure of the fluid. At the moment when the sample begins to flow, the pressure at which internal stresses reach the yield point is measured. Next, the yield strength value (YSS) is calculated.
- Cleaning mode .
Set of spare parts and consumables
- Set of seals for pump and container;
- Silicone grease for O-rings;
- Lubricant for threaded connections;
- Refrigerant, Glycol, 5 l;
- Set of tools;
- Ferules, tubes, fittings.
Accompanying documentation for the equipment
Documentation in English and Russian:
- operation and maintenance manual;
- passports with technical characteristics of the equipment;
- certificates from the manufacturer confirming that the equipment has passed tests: pressure testing, calibration of measuring instruments as part of the equipment, with original signatures and seals, as well as their translation into Russian;
- calibration certificates, calibration and recalibration procedures;
- user manuals for operating accessories.
Parameter Meaning Maximum pressure 200 bar Working temperature -25 to +100 °C Temperature accuracy 0.1 °C Fluid Viscosity Range From 0.5 to 2500 mPa•s Fluid flow range From 0 to 150 ml/min Material of parts in contact with the test medium Stainless steel/Kalrez/Fluoro rubber (FKM)/PTFE (Teflon) Required nitrogen pressure 200 bar Sample volume From 50 to 250 ml Power supply 220-240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1ph.
