Investigation of paraffin deposition during multiphase flow in pipelines and wellbores - Part 2: Modeling

A Joint Industry Project to investigate paraffin deposition in multiphase f lowlines and wellbores was initiated at The University of Tulsa in May 1995 . As part of this JIP, a computer program, based on the molecular diffusion theory, was developed for prediction of wax deposition during multiphase f low in pipelines and wellbores. The program is modular in structure and ass umes a steady-state, one-dimensional flow, energy conservation principle. T his paper will describe the simulator developed for predicting paraffin dep osition during multiphase flow that includes coupling of multiphase fluid f low, solid-liquid-vapor thermodynamics, multiphase heat transfer, and flow pattern-dependent paraffin deposition. Predictions of the simulator are com pared and tuned to the experimental data by adjusting the film heat transfe r and diffusion coefficients and the thermal conductivity of the wax deposi t.