Study on deposition characteristics and mechanism of waxy oil under the effect of drag reducer

Drag reducers have become a common method for reducing resistance and increasing transportation efficiency in pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil. The prominent heat transfer weakening effect of drag reducers may impact the deposition of waxy oil. This study uses cold finger experiments to clarify wax deposition characteristics and mechanisms in drag-reduced waxy oil. The wax deposition mass and components are examined under different temperatures, stirring rates, drag reducer dosages, and types. The results show that a low dosage of drag reducer at high stirring rates can simultaneously reduce the total wax deposition and the overall wax content in high waxy oil. 5 mg/kg drag reducer can reduce total wax deposition by up to 15.66% and overall wax content by 7.26%. A systematic investigation reveals that adding drag reducers changes the carbon number distribution in the wax deposition layer. This change is similar to the effect of increasing wall temperature. The heat insulation and transfer weakening effects of drag-reducing fluids are likely the main mechanisms inhibiting the increase in wax deposition mass and wax content. The heat insulation effect reduces the temperature gradient near the pipe wall, while the transfer weakening effect decreases radial heat transfer. However, under low stirring rates and high dosages, the deposition mass of the drag-reduced waxy oil system increases, with the adhesive effect of polymer-type drag reducers becoming more pronounced. These findings provide a foundation for optimizing drag reducer usage in waxy crude oil pipelines, potentially leading to significant energy savings and improved operational efficiency.