Low temperature flow characteristics of some waxy crude oils in relation to their composition .1. With and without pour point depressant additives

The yield stress, plastic viscosity and apparent viscosity and the dependence of the latter on the shear rate have been studied at different temperatures below pour point of Lingala (Krishna-Godavari basin, Eastern coast), Duliajan (Eastern region of Assam), Rava (Godavari basin) and Bombay-High (off-shore western region) indigenous crude oils. Four different commercial pour point depressant additives have been used to study their effects on the pour point, yield stress and plastic viscosity. From this study it has been found that wax concentration and its composition are primarily responsible for the variation in the pour point, and crude base composition has a small effect. However, the response of the pour point depressant additive in effecting the change in the pour point is primarily governed by the liquid matrix. As the temperature is lowered both the yield stress and plastic viscosity increase in case of each crude oil. However, the mgnitude is dependent on the nature of the crude oil. With pour point depressant additives, the yield stress and plastic viscosity are decreased and this decrease is a function of nature of the liquid matrix of the crude oil and concentration of the additive.