Calculating Deposit Formation in the Pipelining of Waxy Crude Oils

Wax deposition from a waxy crude oil is modelled in turbulent flow in a pipeline. Molecular diffusion in a thin boundary layer near the pipe wall is taken as the only mechanism responsible for deposition. The model takes into account the ablation, which is a flow-related phenomenon that limits the growth of the deposit. The effect of desaturation of the oil is analyzed as well. Two field cases are presented in which the numerical implementation of the model is in agreement with the experimental data.