Small Wax Flow Loop (Live Oil)

The Small Wax Flow Loop (Live Oil), model CT-FA-WLS, circulates a live oil sample through a miniature loop under a range of heat fluxes and shear rates representative of production flowline conditions, and measures wax deposition against those conditions. It is the smaller of the two live oil wax loops in the Coretest flow assurance range. It is used to assess wax inhibitors and to build a representative model of an oil sample under real pipeline conditions.

How it works

A 600 ml sample is held at pressure, up to 3,000 psi, and pumped around a 1/8 inch, 2 meter deposition loop at flow rates up to 175 ml/min. Temperature is controlled in the range -20 °C to 120 °C with 0.1 °C accuracy, which sets the heat flux between oil and wall, while flow rate sets the shear rate. Wax deposited under each condition is the measured result. A second coil, 7 mm internal diameter and 12 meters long, serves gel strength tests on the same sample. The test sequence is fully automated.

Controlled variables are flow rate, heat flux, shear and pressure. The measured output is wax deposition as a function of those conditions. Wetted material is stainless steel and the power supply is 220 VAC, 50 Hz. Pressure and temperature ratings, wetted materials, loop geometry and instrumentation are configured per project.

What is included

• Wax deposition loop, 1/8 inch diameter, 2 meters long
• Gel strength coil, 7 mm internal diameter, 12 meters long
• Temperature control to 0.1 °C
• Automated test sequence

Specify for your project

• Live oil sample pressure and volume available
• Temperature range and heat flux program
• Flow rates and shear rates to be covered
• Inhibitor screening protocol
• Site power, 220 VAC, 50 Hz as standard

This description defines the product family. Guaranteed performance, included hardware, exclusions, interfaces and acceptance criteria are stated only in the project-specific technical proposal and approved datasheet.

Features

• Wax deposition loop diameter: 1/8 inch
• TempWax deposition loop length: 2 meters
• Gel strength coil internal diameter: 7 mm
• Gel strength length: 12 meters
• Pressure: up to 3,000 psi
• Temperature range: -20°C to 120°C
• Sample volume: 600 ml Flow rate: up to 175 ml/min
• Temperature accuracy: 0.1 °C
• Material: Stainless steel
• Power supply: 220 VAC, 50 Hz

Benefits

• Fully automated test
• Wax inhibitor assessment
• Generate representative model of oil sample in real pipeline conditions