Development of methods for determining the relative weight of physical factors in pipeline paraffinization

Department of Electric Power and Electromechanics, Energy Faculty, 199106 Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the development of a system for predicting pipeline paraffinisation, which is a matter of urgency in oil transportation to ensure resource-saving and facilitating sustainable development of the oil industry. The paper focuses on the composition analysis of measuring instruments, the combined use of which can fix the values of all physical parameters right at the time of paraffin formation. To date, the need for such measurements is due to the absence of a precise model for the process of formation of paraffin deposits and correlating dependencies between the process of paraffinisation and physical factors causing it, as well as the absence of possibility to create a forecasting system without this information. Its creation has become possible as a result of introducing advanced methods for measuring the degree of pipeline paraffinisation and oil stream viscosity, critical for the aforesaid data collection. The paper discusses the process of pipeline paraffinisation, presents the selected methods for measuring the desired values, as well as describes the required measuring equipment. The developed system of sensors is characterized by the absence of contact with the medium being measured, full automation, and minimum number of elements. Economically feasible stages of the system development and implementation were selected.