原油管道清管蜡层剥离研究进展

蜡沉积是含蜡原油在管输过程中面临的重要流动保障难题,生产上常采用机械清管的方法清除管壁蜡沉积物。由于目前对蜡层剥离机理认识不足,现场清管作业仍然依赖操作经验,卡球蜡堵事故时有发生。通过对原油管道通球清蜡研究的关键问题进行系统阐述,分别从蜡层剥离机理、清蜡效率、蜡层破坏力3个方面详细梳理当前原油管道通球清蜡领域的研究进展,指出蜡层强度、清管器前油蜡浆液流变特性和流动规律以及蜡沉积物积聚成塞条件应是该领域今后研究的关键问题和主要方向。

Progress of research on wax removal during pigging of oil pipeline

Wax deposition is a severe flow assurance challenge for waxy crude oil transportation.Generally,mechanical pipeline pigging is used to remove the wax deposits on pipeline wall.However,the field pigging operation relies greatly on the experience due to the poor understanding of wax removal mechanism,and pig plugging and wax blockage occur frequently.Here,the fundamental issues in wax removal by pigging of crude oil pipeline were summarized,the research progress from the perspectives of wax removal mechanism,wax removal efficiency and wax breaking force was clarified,and it was also pointed out that the mechanical strength of wax deposits,rheological properties and flowing characteristics of the oil-wax slurry in front of the pig,as well as the critical condition for wax plug formation,would be key issues and main directions of future research in this field.