paraffin

The process of paraffin formation has been considered, including the peculiarities of the paraffin structure as a result of phase transitions with a decreasing temperature. Mathematical models for thermodynamic and kinetic calculations of the "solid-liquid" system phase equilibrium have been developed. To shift the "fuel oil-paraffin" balance towards the liquid, it is necessary to reduce the activity ratio of solid and liquid phases by introducing into the system a substance with a lower solubility parameter.

Evaluations of wax inhibitors carried out in laboratories are generally performed on stabilized oil samples, that is, without the presence of natural gas and at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the effects of two important factors that influence wax solubility – the light fractions and temperature – are not considered, and the results may not reflect what really happens in production lines and facilities.