Wax deposition testing in multiphase loop of Solaize

Wax deposition data obtained in multiphase conditions are presented. They are the first data to be obtained with a crude oil in multiphase conditions on a pilot loop. The work presented here was part of a comprehensive program on additive development. A wax deposition section was recently built on the multiphase loop at Solaize, near Lyon, in order to extend the scope of the facility beyond its known dedication to gas hydrate studies. The wax deposition section has a thermal double jacket capable of maintaining a low temperature at the pipe wall, independent of the one available for the remaining length of the loop. It is 7 m long, online with the 140 metre long main tube. A live waxy crude oil was circulated in the loop in various imposed flow regimes, namely, laminar, turbulent, and multiphase stratified and slug flow. The instrumentation, control and monitoring work satisfactorily. Waxy crude oil deposits were recovered from a retrievable spool section. The deposit properties were found to depend strongly on flow regimes. The tests showed the influence of the liquid flow rates on the deposition mechanisms. They also focused that the mechanisms of deposition in multiphase conditions may be different from the accepted mechanisms in single phase conditions. The assumption that the gas phase plays an important role in deposition was made. More investigations are needed to confirm this, as this role may be very penalising for multiphase production. Further studies are now envisioned regarding the wax deposition phenomena and control. Mechanisms of wax deposition in multiphase conditions can be further investigated, the evaluation of wax detector is practicable. Performance testing of chemical products under realistic field conditions have already been done and can be run for further cases.