Control of Paraffin Wax Deposit from Oil Pipelines Using Novel and Eco-friendly Nanomaterial Derived from Agro Waste

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, National University of Science & Technology, Oman

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Abstract

This research tackles paraffin wax build up in oil pipelines using eco-friendly silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) prepared from Omani agricultural waste by green synthesis technique. Traditional wax removal methods are costly and harmful, while the green-synthesized SiNPs offer a cost effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative with high surface area and tuneable properties. The SiNPs are successfully synthesized from pomegranate peels using green techniques. The nanoparticles were used in the removal of paraffin wax from oil pipelines. Characterizations using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysais (EDX), and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) showed successful synthesis of the nanoparticles and demonstrated excellent performance in removing paraffin wax from oil pipelines SEM image revealed spherical and porous particles suitable for adsorption, while EDX results confirmed high silica content with minor carbon due to organic residues. FTIR analysis showed silanol and siloxane as two major functional groups, confirming the successful formation of SiNPs. The nanoparticles could suppress the paraffin wax build up by 60%, attributed to their large surface area and strong interaction with wax molecules. This novel approach offers an eco-friendly, sustainable and cost effective alternative in SiNPs synthesis and its application in paraffin wax removal from oil pipelines.